By Contributing Author
When an individual vocalizes the desire to lose weight, one of the first tips people give involves getting a gym membership. However, you really don’t need a gym membership to lose weight. It can be great for access to state-of-the-art equipment. However, it’s not essential. You can start a weight loss journey from the comfort of your own home. However, there are a few key tips you’ll want to remember.
Focus more on meal plans
Most health professionals admit that weight loss has more to do with what you eat versus how much you actually work out. Knowing this, you’ll want to create meal plans that you’ll really stick to. Start with creating healthy versions of the foods you love. If you love french fries, try sweet potato fries that are baked instead. If you love tacos, use the low-fat shredded cheese and low-fat sour cream instead of the full-fat options. Drink tons of water throughout the day. You’ll naturally decrease what you eat when you drink more water. It’s also wise to consume green smoothies, and consider intermittent fasting.
Find fun ways to maintain activity
If you don’t like jogging, don’t try to force yourself to do it. Instead, find workouts you’ll enjoy such as an online pilates workout or an online dance aerobics class. If you love walking, grab your headphones and listen to a podcast as you do your morning or evening walk.
Diversify your activities
Don’t just focus on cardio workouts. While they might be fun, you don’t want to become stagnant. The dreaded plateau in your weight loss can be avoided if you diversify your activities. If walking is your cardio activity of choice, add in ten minutes of another activity each day. You can alternate between jumping jacks, squats, pull-ups and other activities each night. Planks, bike riding and a new online yoga session are more great additions to a diversified workout routine.
Develop a good sleep schedule
When the body gets enough rest, it becomes more efficient. In addition to giving your body the best nutrients possible, give it a chance to rest. Figure out how many hours you need each night. An extra hour can make a major difference in how you think, feel and function. Sleep can also directly impact your body’s ability to let the weight go.
Find ways to let go of stress
In many cases, people hold on to stubborn fat because of stress. Find practical ways to let go of the stress that’s pent-up. Talk to a therapist. Develop a deep-breathing meditation. Talk to your doctor about consuming CBD for stress relief. Whether you’re just starting or increasing your CBD intake, it’s also great to reference a CBD Dosage guide to make sure you’re not going overboard.
As you implement these tips on a regular basis, track your progress. Take note of the foods you eat that help you lose weight. Consider how much rest you’re getting on the weeks when you see more progress. As you track all of those elements together and remain consistent, you’ll be able to create and maintain a balanced weight loss plan at home.