Physical health does not look the same for everyone. You might think of health as being the result of physical fitness and the ability to exercise for long periods. Others may view health as the result of feeling energetic throughout the day. Others focus mainly on dieting to ensure that the body is receiving all the right nutrients.
There is no one way to achieve physical health objectives because people define them differently. One aspect of wellness that occupies the minds of many is weight. Are you at a healthy weight for your body type? You could even be slightly underweight or overweight and still be considered healthy.
If you have goals involving your weight this year, then you need to understand some strategies that can help you with weight management.
Table of Contents
Counting Calories
Being concerned about weight means being concerned about calories. A calorie is simply a unit of measurement for the energy that is released when your body breaks down food. The more food you eat, the more calories you are taking in. If you eat too many and do not burn them off through physical activity, then you will gain weight. If you do not eat enough to replace the energy you use during the day, you could lose weight. Paying attention to how many calories you are consuming and burning regularly can make it easier to plan and reach your weight management goals.
Exercise “Snacks”
A big component of weight management is physical activity, especially for losing weight. You need to burn off those extra calories by working out and moving around. However, your lifestyle may not be conducive to making time for exercise. How can you reach your weight goals if you never have the time to work out? The answer is exercise “snacks.” This idea refers to the strategy of taking advantage of small moments throughout the day to do short, quick exercises. Some examples of exercise snacks include doing calf lifts while waiting for your coffee, taking a five-minute brisk walk in the morning, and walking backward from time to time.
Meal Replacement Shakes
The hardest part about losing weight might be those cravings that you feel and the pangs of hunger. When you are eating fewer calories than you are burning, you might experience hunger more intensely than normal. Meal replacement shakes could be a valuable resource for your weight loss endeavors. These drinks are chock full of nutrients so that your body can deliver much-needed resources to your cells. Specifically, protein and fiber are beneficial because they can help curb cravings by making you feel more full. Your calorie count will be reduced but you will still be receiving sufficient nutrition.
Consult a Dietician/Nutritionist
While you may know your own body better than anyone, outside of maybe your doctor, that does not mean you know what is best for it. When you feel sick, you consult a doctor so they can tell you the best path forward for treatment. Weight management should be looked at the same way. When you have a goal such as gaining muscle weight or reducing fat, many experts can help you do that. If you are serious about reaching your goals, it could be incredibly valuable to consult with a dietician or nutritionist who can help you come up with a diet plan to reach your goals. However, bounce their ideas off your doctor as well since they might have suggestions about the needs of your body specifically.
Set Specific Goals
How can you reach a goal if you do not know what it is? A vague goal such as “lose weight” or “gain muscle” is meaningless. You could accept any amount of progress as achieving your goal and give up right away. Setting specific goals gives you a target to aim for. An example of this would be to say you want to lose 50 pounds within the next year. Maybe you want to include fruit with two meals every day to improve your nutrition. Another goal would be to exercise for 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week. These specific objectives will make progress far more practical.
Be Forgiving
Lastly, you need to be forgiving of yourself as you pursue your weight goals. Physical health is not easy, especially if you have set lofty goals. It is going to take time and commitment to reach the finish line, and even then the work is not done. Give yourself grace when you fall short of your goals or if you get off track temporarily. You are unlikely going to be perfect with each of your milestones. Also, life can get in the way and things come up that may interrupt your progress. This shouldn’t derail your plans. Be open to adjusting them and forgiving yourself when you mess up. Otherwise, you may become too discouraged and disappointed to continue.
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