If you’re ready to make 2022 the year that you take control, lose weight, get fitter and gain confidence, read on….
Here are seven secrets of success – backed up by the latest research into weight loss and behaviour change – from local Slimming World Consultants in Paphos & Limassol.
- Don’t go hungry
To lose weight you have to eat less, right? Well, no! What you’re eating is much more important than how much. Swapping high calorie, unsatisfying foods (think chocolate, alcohol, pastries) for foods that are lower in calories and more bulky, so they fill you up for longer, is key to losing weight in a way that’s easy to live with. Research shows that by basing your diet on low energy dense foods, like fruit and veg, and foods that are most filling – or satiating – like lean meat, fish, eggs, pasta and potatoes, you can actually eat a larger amount of food and feel more satisfied while losing weight.
- It’s OK to walk before you run!
If it’s your goal to get fitter, remember you don’t have to become a professional athlete to get active – just making a commitment to moving more all adds up. Many people make the mistake of joining a gym, overdoing it in week one and quickly giving up, thinking ‘exercise isn’t for me’. Finding an enjoyable, achievable, and sustainable way of building new active habits into your routine is key – anything that gets you moving more, from heavy gardening or vigorous housework to brisk walking, dancing, cycling, or playing frisbee in the park, counts.
- Be kind to yourself
We all start January with great intentions, but it’s all too easy to go off track. It’s what you do next that matters most – and the most important thing is not to beat yourself up about it. Being self-critical is more likely to lead to comfort eating and you giving up completely. Imagine how you’d talk to a friend who’d had a setback – and cut yourself some slack!
- Set a goal
It’s hard to achieve a goal if you don’t set it out clearly in the first place! And when you’re thinking about your dream weight, don’t be afraid to be ambitious. Caroline says ‘As well as setting an overall weight loss target, all my members set a mini goal every week – whether it’s to lose weight, to get more active, to plan ahead or to try something new – making that commitment to a goal definitely helps them achieve more.’
- Don’t opt for a quick fix
It’s no secret that many people find losing weight far easier than keeping it off long-term. To avoid becoming trapped in a yo-yo diet cycle, it’s important to approach weight loss as a permanent change to your lifestyle – and focus on developing new healthy habits that are sustainable for life, as well as getting support to make those changes.
- Strike a balance
An all-or-nothing approach is rarely effective when it comes to weight loss. Restricting yourself when it comes to food and drink might work in the short-term, but pretty soon you’ll be fed up, hungry and giving up completely. A little bit of what you fancy is key! That might be a Saturday night glass of wine or a bit of chocolate in the evenings. Whatever it is for you, having a flexible approach and a balanced mindset is much more likely to deliver long-term success.
- You don’t have to go it alone
The principles of losing weight are quite simple, yet if it was that easy – we’d all be doing it! Studies show that embarking on your weight loss journey alongside other slimmers brings more success than going it alone – sharing the ups and down, having cheerleaders who are on your side, and sharing advice and tips.
To find out more about Slimming World and how to join a group in Paphos & Limassol, visit: www.slimmingworldcyprus.com
or call Caroline on 97745869
