Four Things Nobody Tells You about Weight Loss

When you’re trying to lose weight, at least for the first time, it can seem like a very straightforward task; fewer calories in, more calories out; more healthy food, more home cooked meals etc., and the truth is that, to a certain extent, that is the case. But there are also a few other key parts of working out that no-one really talks about, and they are critical when it comes to really succeeding. Here they are.

1. You can’t do it alone

As with any kind of goal, there will be days when you feel like you have all the motivation you ever needed and can conquer the world; and there will be days when the polar opposite is true. For the latter, you need like-minded people, or at least supportive people who will help you push through. Making sure you have people in your corner on this can be the difference between staying the course and quitting early.

2. You can’t wing it

While it is true that weight loss is (for the most part) about burning more calories than you consume, that can be more challenging than it sounds. You need to know how much you’re eating, and roughly how much you burn each day, and in order to stay on track you’re going to need to plan what and when you eat, and when and how you exercise.

3. You have to keep a food diary

To know what to eat and how much or how little you are eating, you need to actually keep track of what you eat. Don’t assume you’ll remember or that you’ve got it all figured out, just count it all. At least to start. This is the best way to get an idea of your eating habits and where you need to make changes, so it’s an important part of the process.

4. Your life will never be the same

When you’re losing weight it’s easy to think short-term, like this is just a quick fix and you’ll be back to ‘normal’ before you know it. The truth is that that’s not true. This isn’t a one and done situation; it’s a long-term life change. You’re changing the way you think about your body and the way you think about food, and cultivating a new way of interacting with both. Your perspective on food and exercise is going to change, and your habits will too. But don’t be put off - this is a change for the better; you’re growing in all aspects of life, and this is just a sign of change in one of them.