Where do you Start?

With so many fad diets, weight-loss programs, influencers, supplements, peer advice, and gimmicks out there promising quick results, it’s easy to get caught up in the hype. With all these recommendations I wanted to address probably what is the hardest part about weight loss, where to start. If you have been on one or multiple weight loss programs, you may have experienced an overwhelming front of information including a bottomless pit of research on what supplements to take, which smoothies are the healthiest, which foods to cut out completely, and maybe some couch to marathon exercise programs. Ever realize that most recommendations come with a really long list of mostly “don’ts” then you try to apply every single tip until get tired of only following the cottage cheese diet then eat a pizza with french fries then feel bad about it and beat yourself down mentally? So the biggest question is: what is the very first tip to start your weight loss journey without the burnout of various nutrition and exercise recommendations? Well, as a Registered Dietitian for five years, I have come across one very important starting factor that I believe is more important than starting with any food or exercise program.

The first tip

The first tip to starting weight loss is making sure you are ready to start the journey. It is no secret that we want things to happen quickly but if you want true weight loss with long-term benefits of weight maintenance then you have to be mentally prepared to make changes. The first step is to NOT dread about cutting out ice cream, only eating lettuce, or running on the treadmill for hours on end. This type of thinking can put you in a negative headspace about weight loss which would further prevent you from either starting a program or maintaining weight loss after a program ends. Think of it like trying to save $100,000. If you start at $0, saving $50 per month for the first year is more sustainable than saving $500 per month right off the bat.

How do you know if you’re ready to start a weight loss journey? Start with answering the following questions:

1. Are you willing to keep an open mind about food, nutrition, and exercise?
2. If you use food as a stress coping mechanism are you ready to learn new methods to cope with stress?
3. Are you easily influenced by health coaches, nutrition influencers, nutrition supplements, and new diet fads?
4. Are you going to hold yourself accountable for the changes you need to make?
5. Are you willing to change your physical activity/exercise habits?  
6. Are you ready to change your eating habits?

Keep in mind that where you are right now has likely taken months if not years. Therefore making changes to a more sustainable future will take time. But are you ready?

How to find the desire to lose and keep to a weight loss plan?

First, I want you make a list of why weight loss is important to you by filling in the blank. “I want to lose weight because ________” and try to list at least three reasons. Now, if you said something along the lines of “I want to be healthy,” “I want to be skinny,” “I want to fit into my old clothing,” or “I want to look good for Hawaii” your likelihood of failing a weight loss program or keeping the weight off is really high. Dig deep and think about what exactly YOUR benefits of weight loss are. Could it be that your dad had a heart attack in his 50’s? Maybe you have prediabetes or high cholesterol and want to avoid medication. Maybe you want to walk around Disneyland the entire time with your children? Or perhaps you just want more energy to go out. Finding a reason beyond a body goal (i.e. “being healthy,” “looking good in a swimsuit”) is more of a driver to help you with motivation to start and continue weight loss.

Ready to start your weight loss journey? Click here!

Have questions about your reasoning behind weight loss or have any additional questions about the first step to weight loss? Send me an email and let me know: [email protected]