Ever tried making an effort to lose or gain weight? You probably know all too well how it can be challenging to achieve your ideal weight.
With our busy lives, it’s hard to find time to reach your fitness goals–let alone maintain a healthy weight. Instead of cooking at home, we eat at fast-food restaurants out of convenience. Or rather than going to the gym, we opt to sleep in since workout routines can get tedious.
But when you put your mind to it, you can find your weight loss (or weight gain) journey easier. Read on and check out our tips for achieving and maintaining your dream weight.
Decide What Your Ideal Weight Is
The first step to achieving your ideal weight is knowing what it is in the first place.
You can use the Body Mass Index (BMI), which can serve as a general guide to your ideal weight based on your height.
But keep in mind that it doesn’t offer the full picture. While you might meet the BMI requirements for a healthy weight, it doesn’t tell you whether you’re healthy overall or how much body fat you have.
Apart from the BMI, you can look for the weight you want to aim for if you plan to be a sprinter, a marathon runner, a powerlifter, or a bodybuilder.
Or you may want to go beyond numbers and focus more on how you feel in your own skin.
Maybe you want to be confident in your new clothes or walk to work without losing your breath. Or perhaps you prefer a slimmer waist or bigger biceps.
No matter what it is, you can use it as an effective source of motivation.
Exercise Regularly
What are your fitness goals or dream weight? Build your workout routine around that and stick to it.
One easy to make a habit of working out regularly? Find something you enjoy doing while keeping your weight goals in mind.
You can choose fun cardio exercises, like hiking, dancing, and swimming if you want to lose weight. Or if you want to build muscles, you might want to go rock climbing or kayaking.
Of course, nothing beats exercising in the gym or in your apartment. But adding variety to your routine can keep you interested in maintaining the habit.
Plan Healthy Meals Ahead
There are several factors that can affect your weight, such as your age, genetics, sleep, and lifestyle. Sometimes, they make it hard to maintain your ideal weight.
But with physical activity and healthy food choices, anyone from all walks of life can easily reach their fitness goals.
So how much should you eat? The general rule of thumb is that the more active you are, the more calories you will need to consume to maintain your current weight. There are numerous calculators on the web to help you determine what your baseline calorie intake should be based upon your height, current weight, activity level and gender. This is the number you need to eat each day to maintain. Once you know the baseline number, you can adjust your portion sizes to give you your desired calorie intake.
Aside from that, you have to make sure that you’re eating well-balanced meals that are high in nutrients and low in calories. High-fiber foods like whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can help you feel full, while proteins are essential for recovering from exercise and building muscles.
If you want an easier time choosing healthy options, make your meals or prep your food to be cooked ahead of time to help eliminate temptation.
Processed foods, such as junk food and sugary treats are typically packed with high levels of unhealthy additives. Ordering takeouts, meanwhile, makes it harder to watch your calories.
Do It Gradually
Losing or gaining weight takes time. So, to manage your weight safely, you have to set realistic goals, like shedding a pound or two every week.
You also might want to steer clear of overly restrictive plans and focus on your overall health instead.
Most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself. As long as you enjoy your weight loss/gain journey, you’ll achieve your ideal weight in no time–and easily maintain it in the long run.
In Conclusion
Achieving your ideal weight is achievable with the right mindset, knowledge, and habits. It's essential to remember that sustainable weight loss takes time, and small changes in your lifestyle can make a big difference. Be patient and kind to yourself, and don't give up if you encounter obstacles.
Use these tips as a starting point to help you on your journey towards a healthier and happier life. Remember that every step you take towards your ideal weight is a step towards a better you.
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