6 Tips to Reignite Your Weight Loss

Hitting the same old plateau? Like anything else we need to reinvent ourselves mentally, physically, and emotionally. For most of us losing weight and staying focused is a long road, sometimes with little hope we just give up. Why? About 80 percent of people who lose weight, gain it all back within a year. Then we give up, and we decide to eat more, reduce activities, become so passive, many just don't care anymore. So when the choice comes to opt for a small portion of food, we shrug it off as it doesn't matter anymore, and double the portion. Sound familiar? If you're an all-or-nothing person, there is no in-between. This is not the only thing that happens. Depression can come in along with discouragement. We need to dig in to prevent the scenario from happening again to prevent another cycle. Ready? We will look at six things that can help breathe life back into your diet and to carry on.

Get Going

Get going and be creative on how you want to do this. You need to be strategic if you want meet goals. If you’re at a desk all day get exercise in. Instead of the elevator, take the stairs. Walk around the building, drive to the park for a short walk. Or get a solid walk in the morning. Watch the mind, too. Start by not going by your feelings and trick your brain! For example, don’t think exercise as something bad, like jail. People will tell you all sorts of stories and what to do about the correct way to exercise and live. Boring! Be you. No matter what, you need to get the body strong, first. So stop avoiding exercises, unless you're not able to do it. Talk with a doctor and look at low impact exercises like swimming if you can’t walk or go to the gym. Find a buddy to workout with, or walk the dog. Don't just sit on the sidelines any more. Take action, don't just dream it--make it happen. Deep breath. Now, get those sneakers out, baby--and move on.

Try This

Try this, try that! Oh, my—this is so overwhelming! No wonder people give up after getting this information overload on diets. Low-carb, plant-based, protein focused, juicing diets—it never ends. There is no magic power or pill, so fad diets will leave you in the lurch. You know your body better than anyone else does. Don’t set yourself up for failure with a quick fix. Plan your food week ahead. This will make life simple and help you take weight off. People that do this eat less during the day due to portion control. Here are more hints. Cut up vegetables, fruits and bag it in the refrigerator at work. Depending on the size you could do a few days. Dip this in hummus when you start feeling hungry. Get more fiber! Apples, bananas, and raisins are high in fiber. Also, keep pumpkin seeds on hand. They have vitamin B and can be added to yogurt, cereal, or just eat them plain.

Balance

Find a balance with the food you're eating if the hunger pains are driving you insane. Play the game to win by eating a balanced diet. We know you heard this before, but it rings true. Eat better. This means proteins, fish, beans, and taking in more fiber. Health.com shared to eat more foods that will sustain you longer. "To lose pounds and inches without perpetual hunger pangs, include healthy foods that boost satiety and keep you fuller longer, namely those high in lean protein (organic eggs, poultry, fish, beans and lentils), fiber (fruits, veggies, whole grains, beans, lentils), and good fat (avocado, nuts, seeds, and extra virgin olive and coconut oils)." If you plan ahead and stock up on good and healthy items it will make the transition easier. Look at adding healthy fats to your diet like coconut oil. Coconut oil also can help with acne, hair, skin, and help make you feel full. No joke.

Stress

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Stress is a killer on the body and will coax you into eating more. Stress releases cortisol, and it's linked to weight gain. It alerts the body to go into survival mode, and this alerts the adrenal system. A loss of the appetite when we're stressed is not always the case, Elissa Epel, PhD told WebMD. "While the immediate response to acute stress can be a temporary loss of appetite, more and more we are coming to recognize that for some people, chronic stress can be tied to an increase in appetite , and stress-induced weight gain." Look for ways to deal with stress, especially if it is chronic. Don't give in. Take small steps on what can be controlled and build your very own foundation. Make yourself accountable and be clear on what you want. Don't let stress get in the way! If you can't control stress, reach out to a trusted friend or professional.

Eat Breakfast

Experts recommend that you eat breakfast and cheat. It will keep you from snacking before lunch. Keep it to 400 calories or less with one egg, low fat cheese, and yogurt. Fruits with almond milk is another filling start. WebMD reported: “Those men and women who ate breakfast cereal had lower overall fat intake, compared to those who ate other breakfast foods.” Also, if you don’t indulge occasionally you will give up, so one slice of cheesecake won’t kill you. Don’t starve yourself and think this is the answer as the body knows. Start to cutback portions, and reward yourself with a complement, not with more food. Choose to be satisfied, not full and if emotions are getting you to eat more, try to write down your feelings on paper. This pause will help you refrain from going into the kitchen, and it can help you.

Going Out

Social events can really get in the way of a diet. Be prepared to not let it break you. Prevention reported that this temptation can be overwhelming. Go in on guard, and eat a snack before the party. "If you're at a party, tell yourself you'll take one of every fourth passed hors d'oeuvre. If you're out at dinner, order an appetizer portion and share dessert. Or if you're stressed try another low-restraint moment to make sure you have a source of crunchy snacks (like fruit or carrot sticks) at the ready." It might also be a craving not hunger. So in social settings pace yourself, slow down. "Focus on the taste and texture. Chew slowly. Try using your non-dominant hand. And stop to take a breath between bites and maybe you've had enough. Those leftovers will taste great tomorrow," Prevention explained. You have nothing to lose, but the pounds!

Small Steps

Start small. Make small positive changes in eating habits and physical activity. Change the way you talk to yourself about the body you’re in. Negative self-talk will only sabotage goals, and lead to nowhere. Join a gym, or start a exercise program during lunch, instead of ordering fast food, or worse. Bring your own lunch in as well to the office. This helps with portion control and helps the wallet. Look into joining a group to keep you accountable. Think your way to thinness. Why not, isn't all connected? "The way you think affects how you feel, which affects your behaviors," Prevention continued. "So instead of focusing on the less-appealing aspects of weight loss like eating less, look forward to its benefits, and your positive thinking will likely inspire you to make changes." Remember you're not alone and have the power to do something positive.