Welcome to the 2nd month of the new year! Are you struggling to commit to your weight loss resolution? Trying everything from gym memberships to googling the fastest way to lose weight? You may have a case of weight loss overload. Your brain is overwhelmed with too many details… recipes, workouts, gut flora (what?!), weight loss pills, vitamin cocktail injections (that’s a thing? Yes.), liver cleanses, etc… so it’s in stuck idle, not sure of where to begin. And you, my friend are feeling defeated, trapped in the “planning” mode of when and how you ever lose that weight.
Well buck up buttercup! Now is not a time to feel sorry for yourself. Put down that Fitness Magazine, click out of youtube workouts and for the love, get off social media! The health experts of Premier Fitness Camp have compiled the top 5 weight loss tips that have nothing do with weight loss— but get this—result in weight loss! I realize that sounds confusing, but read on to learn how simple actions can turn into BIG, life transforming results.
1. Conquer Your Clutter
Lose clutter. Lose weight. When we think of weight loss, the obvious thought is typically a healthy mind, healthy eating, and a healthy dose of exercise… but what about the effects of keeping a healthy home? Recent studies show there is a direct correlation between clutter and stress as a proven contributor to weight gain. According to the study reported on by The American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, people with messy or cluttered homes are 77 percent more likely to be overweight or obese. Mess leads to heightened stress, and that stress invariably leads to overeating.
Southern California-based Interior Designer and Home Style Expert, Susanna Samaniego recommends starting simple with your closet. Spend a couple hours decluttering your closet. Get rid of that shirt you haven’t worn in 2 years, invest in the same, uniform hangers and organize your shoes and accessories. This simple act cleaning will also clear your mind of clutter, reversing that overwhelmed feeling of “I don’t know where to start” or “I’m exhausted before I even start.”
Your new and improved space may just be the catalyst you need to start making healthier choices in other aspects of your life.
2. Create a Community
Social hour could lead to a smaller waistline? YES! In fact, creating a community may be one of the biggest contributors to weight loss. Why? According to Premier Fitness Camp behavior change specialists, Lasting lifestyle changes happen in relationships. Friends, family, a health coach or peer—new habits form when you have the support of a community, someone to share your journey, to celebrate the accomplishments, and to encourage you when you hit plateaus. Today, do something as simple as telling a friend you want to lose weight or hire a health coach.
3. Sleep
Ya, it’s that simple.
But I know, It’s not that simple. With our 21st century lifestyles, we sacrifice our hours of sleep just to have some “me time” or to accomplish one last thing before bed, or to zone out of Facebook and instagram to get one last glimpse of all 500 of our closest friend’s current events. The majority of Americans are sleep deprived and there’s a direct hormonal link for many people between sleep and body fat. Sleep deprivation reduces the appetite suppressant Leptin – so you’re more likely to overeat. Your body also has a harder time processing sugars – so there’s an increased risk for diabetes.
So how much sleep you really need?
There are many things you can do to get to bed earlier and improve sleep, but start simple. Tonight, an hour before you hit the hay, turn your phone on airplane mode. This removes the impulse to check any emails, texts, calls or posts on social media before dozing off. #itcanwait.
4. Act As If You Are Already Fit
The law of attraction states that you create your reality through the power of your thoughts and feelings. Your thoughts create your feelings and your feelings influence and shape your actions.
Don’t wait “until you lose the weight” to take that vacation or sign up for that race, or learn to surf. This is a classic excuse I hear from my dad. “When I lose enough weight, then I will do X.” It’s so frustrating and sad to hear because he lives in the when and not that now. Rather than just doing what he wants now, he’s stuck in a dream and continues to do nothing—nothing about his health—nothing towards the things he wants to someday do. BUT it doesn’t have to be that way and life is way too short to just let your dreams pass by.
Stop your drutzing and start acting like you are already fit. Act as if you’ve already reached your goal weight and DO what fit people (IE yourself) would do. What would you eat? What would you drink? How would you feel? How would your day look? You’d probably doing what “healthy people” do, right? You’d sign up for that Spartan Race! You’d be mindful of what’s on your plate. You’d look in the mirror with confidence.
You don’t have to wait for “someday” to half self-esteem. Start thinking, and living as a fit, healthier person right now. Build your confidence by acting as if you already feel good about yourself (even if you don’t). Start here: When you get dressed tomorrow morning, look in the mirror and say, “I look good!” Then walk and talk as if you do. The weight will follow the attitude!
5. Practice Follow Through in Other Areas of Your Life
Just as an author must walk away from his or her work to conquer writer’s block, you too may need a break from the inundation of weight loss. The struggle is real when trying to maintain weight loss motivation, so today walk away from weight loss entirely! No joke, stop the stress, stop thinking about what you should or shouldn’t eat. Spend today focusing your energy elsewhere. Call a family member or friend you’ve been meaning to catch up with, or deep clean your car (inside and out!), clean out your spice cabinet ($5 says you have some beyond shelf life spices collecting dust), or organize receipts that have been piling up in your wallet. Follow-through in other areas of your life will strengthen your own subconscious belief that you are able to follow through with the promise to lose weight that you’ve made to yourself. Today, revisit one commitment, just don’t let it have anything to do with weight loss;)