5 Tips to Winning the Weight Loss Battle...

Everyone slips now and then. You might have a great month, where you lose seven to ten pounds. And then, before you know it, you’re up a few pounds again. Even though you try your best to lose that weight and keep it off, there are still times when things don’t work out. You’ll eat an extra slice of cake at a birthday party. You’ll have a bit too much at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. These things happen. But don’t let the small weight fluctuations get you down. Don’t get discouraged if you put a bit of weight on, and don’t shun these events, either. Just get back on track and stay focused on your goals.

If you don’t already have one, go out and buy a digital scale. We used to have a conventional scale and when I started have problems reading where the dial rested (due to my aging eyesight), we bought a digital scale. A digital scale shows when you have lost even a fraction of a pound. You wouldn’t think it would make a difference, but being able to tell even if you’ve only lost 0.3 lbs. make you feel successful, which in turn motivates you to lose more. I always get really happy when I see any kind of downward trend.

One of the biggest mistakes most of us make is focusing on the long term goals instead of the smaller ones. When you can see yourself approaching and accomplishing a goal, it’s motivating. The encouragement you find from losing just two or three pounds will carry you through the next two or three. And after you achieve that goal, you will be ready for the next one. If you look at your journey as a series of pit stops instead of a non-stop cross-country trek, it will be easier than you thought possible. Focus on weekly and monthly goals. This time passes before you know it – and soon you will be at your desired weight.

I was lucky enough to have my best friend from high school start her weight loss program at the same time as me. We made a pact, and we stuck together. We made sure that we wouldn’t let the other person slip up. Both of us took up running and purchased a Garmin Forerunner 305 which helped us compare our exercise achievements and calories burned. This tip, alone, was probably the biggest reason I met my goals. Try to find someone to work with you. When there is another person that you have to remain accountable to, you are much less likely to slip up and fall off track.

Your body weight fluctuates as much as two to three pounds per day. You could step on the scale today and see that you are two pounds lighter – or heavier – than you were yesterday. Don’t freak out right away if you seem to gain a few pounds overnight. Focus on the long term trends. It helps to keep track of your weight in some sort of journal. As long as you are slowly shedding pounds week after week, you are going to get where you need to be. You don’t need worry if you take one or two steps back. For example, when I go out for a meal that is particularly high in sodium like Chinese food, I am always heavier the next morning. I’ve learned that this is a false weight gain and will balance out within a day or two.

When you combine short term goals, the occasional cheat meal, an understanding of your bodies fluctuating weight, and the motivation provided by a partner, it’s much easier to stay on track and lose the weight you want. Give it time, and don’t be unrealistic. If you put these tips to work, you will be at your goal weight before you know it.

Bio: Jacquie struggled with her weight for years. She found that what worked best for her was combining common sense with regular exercise. Now, as an avid runner, Jacquie believes in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and she attributes running as one of the key factors in helping her sustain her goal weight. On her blog – Online-Running-Gear.com, she tries to stay current with the newest trends in fitness by researching and writing detailed, informative reviews on products she recommends such as the P90X and the Garmin Forerunner 305 Review.

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