Your Weight Loss Diet Needs These 4 Things

From fad diets to tried-and-true methods, there are simply too many choices when you want to lose weight.

You can fast, eat more frequently, cut carbs, or simply count your calories… so what makes a weight loss diet successful? The problem with losing weight is there’s no one-size-fits-all strategy.

While there are so many choices you could make, there are four things your diet needs in order to be successful. No, it’s not “eat this magic food” or “slog on a treadmill for hours” either.

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Below I’ll go over the four things that a successful weight loss diet needs along with some tips I’ve picked up along my journey of losing 120 pounds twice. I’m not perfect, but I can show you what has helped me.

Lose Weight More Efficiently

#1 - Flexibility is Key

When you have choices, you are able to suit your lifestyle and is encouraging to continue. When we narrow the foods down too much, we are simply making our views about food worse.

The “good food” and “bad food” thoughts can lead to some serious inadvertent bad day. Instead, learning how to eat the majority of your calories through healthy sources will allow you to indulge without the stress of “eating something bad.”

The goal is to make nutritious choices and stop looking at foods as good or bad.

#2 - Aspects of Your Current Lifestyle Should Stay Intact

Trying to completely overhaul what you eat overnight is tough. It’s possible, but won’t help you change habits. Instead of thinking you are on a diet, change your diet to match your desired lifestyle.

Take a look at the foods you love and see if you can find a healthier version. Maybe you could start cooking the meals yourself. If you love eating sandwiches, try using one slice of bread or lettuce instead.

This is a small change and will save you pointless calories. These small changes are sustainable and you are more likely to achieve your weight loss goal.

#3 Physical Activity is Encouraged

Losing weight isn’t solely from eating better. On the other hand, over-exercising isn’t healthy either. The American Council on Exercise recommends we get 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week.

Physical activity increases your metabolism. When you combine a nutritious diet with physical activity, you will burn more calories. Start slow and increase your physical activity as you can.

This is a lifestyle change, not a quick fix.

#4 - There is a Journey

Weight loss is not linear. You will hit plateaus, your weight will fluctuate, and you’re going to feel like you are failing. But don’t.

Don’t focus on the numbers — there is a journey to this change in your life. Notice how your clothes fit better, how your face isn’t as puffy, and how your body doesn’t ache just from standing.

Try new recipes, get a taste of life, and know that the number on the scale is not the determining factor of how successful your progress is.

Weight Loss Tips

When it comes to losing weight, it doesn’t matter how much you read. If you create a plan and follow it, good things happen.

Here are a few tips I’ve used to help lose 120 pounds twice. Well, I’m currently down 135 pounds this time around.

Learn to cook - This is no joke. You can craft beautiful dishes in your kitchen that are tastier and healthier than anything you can eat at a restaurant.

Buy nice kitchenware - Don’t skimp on the pots, pans, and knives — they make cooking so much easier.

Get a food scale - I’m pretty good at eyeballing my food now, but I still use a scale. They are cheap and you know exactly what you are eating.

Log your food - Use MyFitnessPal or even writing down what you eat. You can use this log to see where your calorie creepers are.

Prioritize nutrition - Along my journey, I’m able to eat all of the sinful treats I normally do. How? I prioritize nutritionally-dense foods.

Seriously, learn to cook, log your foods, and enjoy the process. It’s a long road and it will have speedbumps. Keep to your plan, execute your plan, and move around when you can.