Four Secrets to Jump-start Fat Loss

Spring is in the air and the cold, gray days of winter are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Unfortunately, for too many people, so are the New Year’s Resolutions they were so committed to just a few short months ago. In fact, 95 percent of people stopped working toward their goals by January 31.  

 

So what about you? Hopefully, you are still full steam ahead and working toward your goals. But in case you fell off course, here are four fat-loss strategies to help you get back on track!

 

1. Self-Monitor. This tip alone is so powerful. Doing nothing else but writing down your daily habits can make or break your success. Self-monitoring can be useful for gathering a baseline of behaviors or as an “as needed” measure when struggling. Many times, people are not aware of their own behaviors, and self-monitoring can increase awareness. Recording what you eat and drink is sure to give you a fat-loss jump-start! Try writing down everything you eat and drink day after day. Remember, summer time (and bathing suit season) is right around the corner.

 

2. Workout with a friend. Accountability works. And being in a supportive environment – with others who have the same mind set and are working toward the same goals – will help you to reach yours. Easy enough, right? Meet a friend for a walk. Join a local running club or exercise class. Having a commitment that involves others will help you stay on course.

 

3. Exercise like you mean it. Structured exercise should be a daily habit, like brushing your teeth or showering. When you have your friend(s) from the second “secret” listed above, you will push each other. Walking your dog is great. Taking the stairs vs. the elevator is great. But in addition to daily activity, to truly jump-start your fat loss, it’s important to make time each day for structured exercise as well.  

 

4. Exercise first thing in the morning. Is there “magic” to exercising early? Well, yes and no. Yes, because it gets it out of the way and there is no room for anything to get in the way. The empowering feeling of being done with exercise in the morning is second to none. We often say that if you could bottle the feeling you have when you are done exercising first thing in the morning – before most people have risen out of bed – it would be the most addictive drug known to man. Start your day on the right foot and the right lifestyle will follow!