Summer is almost over, and though most people are packing away their bathing suits and shorts, it doesn’t mean your fitness journey should end, too. At the end of every spring, online publications and social media posts are riddled with the topic of weight loss. While getting that nice summer body feels great, being confident and healthy year round should be your goal. Here are a few helpful tips for losing those few extra pounds.
Make a Workout Plan, Stick With It
If you really want to lose some weight, the best way to start is by making a workout plan. It’s best not to follow Instagram models and their workout videos because they’re just showing creative ways to do simple moves, and with those “original” creations, there’s a risk of injury. Doctors have even said that utilizing simple techniques will provide a more consistent and easy-to-follow fitness routine. Instead, read up on exercise or rely on the expertise of professionals. At your gym, consider starting off with a bit of personal training, at least until you feel comfortable enough to do it on your own. Research the different muscle groups and how you can target them in your workout. You can even go to fitness classes for Barre or Pilates to make sure you get a good mix of cardio and weight training.
The most important factor about any fitness plan is to stick with it. If you free an hour in the morning to go to the gym, stick to that schedule. Some days are harder than others to get motivated, but if you want to shed your weight and keep it off, you’ll need to try your best to stick to your schedule.
Try Supplements
Another viable option for weight loss are dietary supplements. Though not all dietary supplements are the same and you should do some research before picking one, they’re a quick fix to losing weight. Dietary supplements contain herbs, botanicals, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and amino acids or other ingredients that supplement your diet and fill any gaps you’ve missed through your diet. These supplements can be purchased over-the-counter or online.
You should do research and even talk to your doctor prior to taking dietary supplements because they may have unforeseen side effects or react negatively with your other prescription medications. When talking to your doctor, bring a list of the supplements you wish to take along with the list of ingredients. For instance, if you plan on trying the popular fat burning Hellfire EPH 150, check and make sure that the strong thermogenic supplement works well with your other medications. If you’re seeking out a supplement with energy-boosting properties, verify that Methlydrene is the best option for your lifestyle.
Meal Plan it Up
A last defense against undesired weight gain is meal planning. The best way to think about weight loss is that in order to effectively lose weight, you must take in less calories than you burn in a day. You obviously don’t want to undereat, as that’s not the goal here. You want to provide yourself with enough calories to have energy for the day. So, instead of eating heavy, unhealthy foods, eat clean foods. You’ll get less calories from eating avocado on your toast than if you had it with butter, and you’ll get more needed minerals and vitamins. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said that if you plan out your meals ahead of time, you’re more likely to “stick to a healthy eating style.”
By meal planning, you are setting yourself up for weight loss success since you are watching what you put into your body. It’s much easier to lose weight and follow your exercise plan if you are running on healthy greens rather than on McDonald’s. And that’s not to say you can never have junk food; just have everything in moderation. Your diet is half of the battle to losing weight.
