How to start a diet
So, you’ve decided to lose weight!
Now what? It’s easy to want to lose weight but putting those plans into action is what’s most important! The best way to start a diet is to do some research about what you think will work for you. Look for a plan that is realistic, not one that will promise the Earth. Do not follow a plan that is recommending losing more than 2kg a week, you’ll be starving! Which tends to lead to overeating. If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide that’s easy to follow, check out the Celebrity Slim programmes here!
Mapping it out
After your research, you need a plan! What is the end goal? Do you want to lose half a stone amount of weight? Or do you just want to shed those last couple of stubborn pounds? Set your goals and be realistic. If you find a plan promising that you’ll lose 5kg in a week, steer clear of it. Select 2-3 plans that appeal to you, write down the pros and cons for them. When you break it down you can figure out which plan is most achievable. Consider the challenges. If you’ve been on a diet before, think about what got in the way of your progress. The challenges could be no alcohol or no sugar, and if that is something you don’t think you’ll be able to stick with, then choose a difference plan! Whatever your plan is, just remember that to lose weight you need to be in a calorie deficit. What does this mean? It means you need to be burning more energy than you are getting through food and drink. Just remember:
Daily calories in - Daily calories out = caloric deficit.
Plan your meals in advance
Meal prep is a useful tool to keep you on track. Preparing your meals in advance saves time, you won’t need to worry about deciding what to eat and then cooking it after a long day at work. Meal prep allows you to count your calories in advance as well, it is such an easy way to stay on track. Meal replacement shakes come in handy here, you’ll know the exact calorie count, the amount of protein, fibre, carbs and any other nutritional information. Having one shake a day replaces an entire meal! They are carefully formulated to ensure they meet your nutritional needs, check out the Celebrity Slim meal replacement shakes here!
Invest in healthy snacks! Healthy snacks such as protein bars are a good source of protein and will tie you over in between meals. Remember, you should only be eating if you’re hungry, don’t confuse hunger with boredom – we’ve all done it! Try fruit, nuts, dips with crudites and high protein snack bars. They’ll keep you going throughout the day!
Time management
Consider how much exercise you’re willing to make time for. When you start a diet, exercise is usually a must, but it doesn’t mean you need to participate in rigorous activity daily. At the very least you should aim to exercise 3 times a week. Keep in mind, you don’t have to go to the gym! There are plenty of exercises you can do from home. Light activity such as yoga and stretching can aid weight loss when combined with a calorie-controlled diet. Walking is another light activity that will benefit your diet plan, it’s free, low-risk and accessible to most people. Walking also benefits your heart and walking regularly will help to keep you physically fit, which makes it easier for you to try more intense workouts!
Get moving
Do not weigh yourself daily! Weigh yourself before you start your diet plan to figure out how much you need to lose to reach your goal, and then weigh yourself once a week. Weight fluctuates, so if you are a little heavier the day after you start your diet, don’t be disheartened! It does not necessarily mean it’s not working; it might just be water retention. Weighing yourself daily may set you up for disappointment. If you find yourself heavier after a week of starting your diet, then re-check your calorie count and make sure you are in a caloric deficit daily.
Wearing a smart watch that tracks your calorie outtake for the day is a great way to sort out how many calories you should consume. Most smart watches will also track your heart rate and your steps, you should aim for at least 10,000 steps a day for your general wellbeing anyway! Pay attention to which exercises get your heart pumping, and if its attainable to do that activity a few times a week, then do so! Check out a range of recommended smart watches here to track your calories, steps and heart rate.
Stick to it
The best way to start a diet is to simply do your research and follow the rules. Set your goals, figure out which foods you should be eating. The general rule of thumb for starting a diet is to consume more protein, more fibre, less carbs and less sugar. Eat low-GI foods to keep your tummy fuller for longer. We know that sugar cravings do exist! You are allowed to snack on a diet, you just have to pay more attention to the nutritional information panel. If you’re stuck with creating a meal plane, click here for some of our weekly plans. Remember to remove any tempting snacks, drink plenty of water and get moving!
