Losing weight can be overwhelming, especially when we see all these fitness influencers and models flaunting their chiseled bodies on social media. It’s easy to get frustrated when the weight doesn’t fall off as quickly as we want it to. But there’s real power in patience when it comes to shedding the pounds. Here, we’ll explore how to lose weight slowly and steadily over 6 months.
1. Set realistic goals
Often, we set ourselves up for failure by aiming for unrealistic goals. Consequently, we get discouraged because we didn’t achieve what we set out to do. Instead of aiming to lose 20 pounds in a month, let’s set a goal of losing 2-3 pounds a week. This is achievable, and it’s much more sustainable in the long run. This way, we can celebrate small victories along the way.
2. Build a realistic timeline
We wrote about the importance of setting realistic goals, but it’s equally important to build a realistic timeline. Losing weight isn’t a sprint; it’s a marathon. So, let’s focus on the end goal and create a timeline that allows for gradual progress. Trying to lose a lot of weight in a short amount of time can compromise our health and well-being and lead to the weight coming back on even quicker.
3. Make gradual lifestyle changes
When we try to overhaul our lifestyle overnight, we’re setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, let’s make gradual changes that lead to a healthier lifestyle. This might include increasing water intake, reducing processed food, and incorporating regular exercise into our routine. Start small, and build on those changes over time.
4. Focus on consistency
The key to losing weight steadily over time is consistency. This means sticking with the changes we have made, even when we’re not seeing immediate results. Inconsistencies and cheat days can quickly derail our progress. Instead, let’s focus on committing to the new habits we’ve built and maintaining them.
5. Have a support system
Having a support system is crucial to our success in losing weight. This can be a friend, family member, or even a personal trainer. They can act as accountability partners, provide motivation, and keep us on track when we falter. Additionally, there are endless virtual communities of people on similar weight loss journeys. Joining such online communities can be an added boost of inspiration and support.
6. Celebrate small victories
Finally, let’s celebrate small victories as we progress towards our weight loss goals. It can be easy to get discouraged when we don’t see immediate results, but small victories help keep us motivated. These can include fitting into smaller jeans, meeting our weekly weight loss goals, or successfully completing a workout we thought we couldn’t. Celebrating these victories can help us stay on track and reinforce our healthy habits.
Losing weight slowly and steadily can feel daunting, but it’s a much healthier and effective approach than crash dieting. Let’s set realistic goals, build a realistic timeline, make gradual lifestyle changes, focus on consistency, have a support system, and celebrate small victories as we progress towards a healthier lifestyle. And most importantly, let’s be patient with ourselves. The power of patience is real, and it can lead to lasting and sustainable weight loss.