Weight Loss Tips

When it comes to long-term weight loss, clearly defined goals and a plan of action can make the difference between success and failure. If you have a lot of weight to lose, weight loss surgery is an important first step. You can’t rely on bariatric surgery alone to shed the pounds, instead, you need to make the choice and changes to be active and stay healthy. Here are a few tips to help you build your weight loss strategy and stay focused on your big goal: a healthy, happier and lighter you!

Tip #1: Don’t be afraid to dream big.

If you are obese or significantly overweight, the idea of having a normal body mass index may seem like an impossible dream. Don’t let it be. Achieving this goal will take hard work, time and dedication, but if you can dream it, you can achieve it.

Tip #2: Set realistic weight loss goals.

If you are trying to lose a lot of weight, don’t let the big numbers overwhelm you. Instead, set realistic weekly and monthly weight loss goals (1 to 2 pounds each week) and aim to meet these milestones. To lose a few pounds each week, you will need to burn 500 to 1,000 calories more each day than you consume. This is a realistic weight loss goal for most people.

Tip #3: Focus on process goals.

A process goal, like working out every day, is key to long-term weight loss. Process goals change your behavior, helping you establish healthy lifestyle habits. While your long-term ‘dream big’ goal may be an outcome goal, setting smaller process goals along the way will help you to get there.

Tip #4: Accept your limitations—and work to change them.

While this may sound counter-intuitive, accepting your limitations, while also working to change them, will help you achieve long-term weight loss. For example, if you struggle to walk around the block without losing your breath, your current physical fitness level means that you are in no position to run a 5K in the next month. You can still strive towards this goal every day by building up stamina and endurance. When walking becomes easy, you can work your way up to jogging and then longer runs. While this process won’t happen over-night, slowly working to improve your fitness level means that if you want to run a 5K, then eventually you can!