5 Ways to Lose Weight

Hola friends!

So I am going to start off by saying I am not a very “skinny girl” (I never have been) but I can proudly say that I am a fit person. I am always looking for new ways to diet and exercise. I am a female athlete. I played collegiate water polo and during that time I received some training in Olympic weightlifting, swimming, water polo,and running.

So with that said I hope I can motivate you if you are in a slump or just looking to lose a few pounds or you just want to know where to start.

1. Pick a plan

I’ve done so many diets. It’s insane. Most diets work. You just have to be willing to put the time in , the effort and patience to be successful. I’ve been on diets that have failed not because they don’t work but because I didn’t put the work in or I wasn’t patient enough. Weight loss really is a mental game and you have to mentally prepare yourself and your body to stick with it.

2. Pick a plan that works for you

So you found a diet you want to do. Now what? Well, ask yourself is this diet going to set you up for success or failure? If you’re a stay at home mom/ work from home it may be much easier to accommodate a strict diet that requires you to meal prep. Or maybe you work from home but are always on the go? You may need a diet that is more on-the-go clean eating diet that gives you a list of items you can eat without feeling guilty. Or maybe you’re like me and you’re impatient. I need results immediately!, I need to see it on the scale almost instantly. I do a very strict diet and a very strict exercise schedule. But only because I want to see results immediately. However, once I see results I level out the playing field. Once I am where I want to be physically, and weight wise I change my diet to a more stable “Lifestyle diet”. However if you are one of those people that don’t mind taking it slow and steady thats cool too! Everyone is different and that includes how their bodies work and adjust. The good thing is that there are so many diets out there to accommodate every individuals needs and wants.

Fit body boot camp (strict)

The camp (strict)

Herbalife (in between strict and lenient)

Macro counting (lenient)

21 day detox (lenient)

Ketogenic (lenient/strict)

Eating clean (very lenient)

17 day diet (strict)

weight watchers (lenient/strict)

3. Workout

I am just going to put a few ways to stay active and exercise right here! You can use them or come up with your own.

Buy a gym pass

Get a gym buddy

Go for a run

Lift weights

Do push ups

Do pull ups

Pinterest exercises

Go to the park and do a full body workout

Do yoga

Go for a hike

Walk the dog

Take the kids for a nature walk/scavenger hunt

Play a sport

Take the kids for a bike ride

Go walk the beach

join a X-fit camp

This part of losing weight is a must in my book. Yes you can totally lose weight without working out. But in order to feel fit and be healthy on all levels of life physically,mentally,emotionally and medically this is an important step. One that is often easy to skip most days. But...DONT! Don’t skip this step. It is one that clears the body of mental,physical, and emotional sickness. These all have a toll on your daily life. Exercising does not just help your physical health but it also assist in mental health. Don’t let excuses get in the way and just exercise!

4. Make exercising a priority

I know you are busy! I know and I understand. But working out is important. Working out is for you and those around you! It’s NOT selfish. I can’t tell you how many times I got told that I was selfish for working out and not paying attention to my family. Their needs were important to me. But what was more important was the fact that I felt so terrible about myself and I became less confident in my body. It is beyond important that you feel good, that you are happy and you LOVE yourself. I mentioned in my “mom-ing blog: 7 ways to remain calm during a custody battle “ that it is important to take care of yourself so you can take care of those around you. Doing what makes you look good will make you feel good about yourself and your confidence and will make you a better mom/lover/friend/daughter etc.

5. Celebrate your success!

This step can be difficult. I never did this because I thought the celebration was me getting "skinny" and lean. Although that is a celebration I am talking about rewarding yourself for your hard work daily or weekly. This is important because it gives you something to look forward too.

When you are in the midst of learning a new diet your body suffers from carb withdrawal, soreness, exhaustion and the worst of all HUNGER! Some days will be easier than others. Sometimes you will wake up and feel skinny. You may even look thinner (yay! go you!). But other days you could feel like it doesn’t matter what you do you still can’t drop the weight. You may become discouraged because your workout buddy is losing weight faster than you. But if you celebrate the small changes you are making in your health life you will most likely continue pursuing your goal.

I am going to start you off!

Although this may not seem like much 5lbs or fat is a ton! I found this picture on Pinterest and when I feel like I haven’t made any improvements, I look at this photo and realize how far I’ve come. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to exercise motivation.

Check it out!

So with that being said I am saying celebrate your success big or small. Here are some ways to celebrate!

Make a clean cheat meal

Go to the spa

Get a mani/pedi

Get a massage

Get in the jacuzzi

Have a relaxing day

Go on a date

Get a babysitter and go out

Buy a cute outfit or new workout clothes

Put on that cute dress you’ve been wanting to fit in too

Go to the beach put on a bikini and lay out and enjoy the suns rays (there are hidden beaches if you don’t feel comfortable or your backyard)

Do something you’ve been wanting to do for a long time and take time to finally do it

REWARD YOURSELF IN A HEALTHY WAY!

ALWAYS...

Stay positive

Stay motivated

Stay determined

Stay fit

Stay healthy

Stay confident

Be these things in all stages of weight loss and life and you will be successful