Get Started Losing Weight
Updated on July 28, 2007
Even with guidelines, it may be difficult for some people to get started. This is when you need a plan that you can just follow until your lifestyle changes start to feel more natural.
Day 1: Go for a walk.
You can start day 1 any day of the week.
All you need is a pair of shoes (and maybe a coat) for your goal today. Go for a walk.
Just decide that you are going to have a new habit, a daily walk. It doesn't matter when you do it, how long you do it, how fast you do it, what you wear (I've done it in my pajamas), where you do it, or who you do it with. Don't try to push yourself to exhaustion either. All you have to do is put on your shoes and go for a walk outdoors at least once per day.
Day 2: Do some stretches.
You don't need to buy a yoga video or wear any special clothes. Just get on the floor and stretch out in any way that feels good to you.
Decide that this will be your new after-walk habit. Every day, you'll go for a walk and then spend a few minutes afterward stretching out. It will make you feel so amazingly good and energized.
Day 3: Eat something high fiber.
Again, it doesn't matter where you eat it, when you eat it, etc. Just look at the fiber content of your foods and eat something with lots of fiber in it. Legumes (like peas, pinto beans, lentils, black beans, baked beans, etc.) have lots of fiber, so have a serving of them with lunch or dinner. High fiber cereals are also great.
The fiber will fill you up so you'll eat less. Fiber is also not absorbed by your body, so you get to eat it without adding any calories to your diet. Plus, it's good for your digestive health.
Eat something with high in fiber every day.
Day 4: Drink your water.
We all know we should drink more water because it helps everything in your body run smoothly. Drinking plenty of water will also help the fiber you're eating bulk up and make you feel full. If you don't like drinking plain water, flavor it with some juice, a squeeze of lemon, or herbal tea.
Drink 2 cups of water (that's about one big glass) with every meal. Then have a bit more as you think of it throughout the day. Do this every day.
Day 5: Do some crunches.
Your back and abdomen are the core of your body. Strengthen them, and you'll have better posture and less pain in multiple parts of your body. It will also make you look better.
Do some abdominal crunches followed by some back crunches every day (maybe right after your walk and before your stretches or perhaps while you're watching your favorite show). You don't need to do it until you drop or even until you feel the burn. Just do as many as you can easily. When you start to feel a strain while you do them, stop.
Day 6: Eat some green veggies.
Add some veggies to one or more of your meals every day. Steam some broccoli, have a salad, or throw some spinach on your sandwich. Just don't smother these healthy greens with heavy sauces and butter (a gentle dipping into a light dressing is acceptable though).
Day 7: Do a relaxing hobby.
You don't have to meditate to relax, but you should do something that engages your mind but relaxes you every day. Being relaxed will actually influence your body chemistry to help you lose weight. Doing something active while you relax will help you burn more calories than just mindlessly sitting in front of the television (even your brain burns more calories when you're thinking). Plus, you'll be doing something productive, which will boost your self-confidence.
Some people like to work in their garden. Other people work on their car. Try sewing, knitting, scrapbooking, painting, photography, cooking, sculpting, computer programming, dancing, skating, playing basketball, etc. Find something that you enjoy doing, and do it.
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