What’s the one thing you need to lose weight?
I feel like everyone, at some point in their lives wants to lose weight.
I know I’ve gone through it four times, including my current journey.
The first time was, of course, in high school.
Lost the weight but it didn’t last.
The second time I was in my late 20s.
I was trying to get it in before my 30s when they say it’s harder to lose weight.
Basically, I ate very little all week except one day when I splurged.
I was living in NY at the time and had no problem walking everywhere.
Not only that but I always carried around a backpack just in case I needed to stay in the city longer.
It wasn’t too hard for me to lose the weight.
It wasn’t always fun eating so little but the splurge days made it better lol.
The third time, about 7 years later, I copied what I did in NY but included p90x.
Again I managed but really liked forward to those splurge days.
This time around is been a lot different.
One thing, I’m paying more attention to what and how I’m eating.
Even though I’m still eating lower, you must be in a deficit to lose weight, it’s not anywhere near as low as I had previously been eating.
The second thing, I’m actually exercising less but having better success!!!
Not only that but I know I’ve lost fat but still gained muscle.
Now, like I mentioned, a deficit is one thing needed to lose weight, right?
Factors to help you Lose Weight
Deficit
You can’t be eating at or more than your maintenance calories to lose weight.
Check out this post to figure out your maintenance calories!!!!!!!!!!!
Exercise
You also need to be exercising/ moving.
The best way to do that is with weight lifting.
I’ve been able to lose weight by only lifting 3 days a week and only about 30 minutes (sometimes less) each workout!
Check out this workout if you’re just starting or wondering where to start.
Protein
Yup, protein.
You’ve got to make sure you’re getting in enough protein!
It’s super important in helping gain that muscle to lose that fat.
Now, I was never conscious of my protein in all my other weight loss times.
So it’s been interesting to learn how and what are the best ways to get in my protein.
Post: Best Protein Sources
The Key To Lose Weight
The most important factor in losing weight……
Consistency
You read that right.
Staying consistent is so important to lose weight and to keep it off.
Looking back to all the times I’ve lost weight.
It wasn’t exactly the food or the exercises I was doing.
I was consistent to lose the weight but then completely not when it came to maintenance afterward.
Granted, I haven’t quite gotten to my maintenance phase yet but I know what I have to do once I get there.
I am much more prepared to finally and forever keep my weight off!
And that all has to do with the fact that I have been consistent with my program to get the weight off and it’s something I know I can continue to do to help keep it off.
If you are struggling with sticking with a program then maybe it’s not the right program for you.
Extreme exercise or eating may work for a short amount of time, and you may have a lot of success but if you can’t stick with it then is it worth it in the long run?