The Dos and Don'ts of Weight Loss

The hardest part of losing weight is making the decision to do so and sticking with it. Surrounding yourself with temptations, obsessing over your journey and setting unrealistic goals are just some of the ways you can derail your efforts. If you're serious about shedding the pounds, check out this list of dos and don'ts to help you stay on track.

Do monitor your food intake and exercise activity. In today's world, it is extremely easy to monitor both the food you eat and the amount of exercise you do. Although it may seem like an unnecessary task to keep track of every bite you take and every move you make, it is actually very beneficial. When you don't keep track, you tend to consume more than you think and thus blow your diet. So look into apps for your phone, such as My Fitness Pal, that will easily help you monitor your calories in and out. Or check out some of our favorite health and fitness apps to keep you on track.

Don't expect to lose weight by changing your food intake. Lowering the amount of food you eat each day will initially help you lose weight. However, if you are solely limiting your caloric intake, you can't expect to continue to lose weight for long. Your body will eventually adjust, and your metabolism will slow. Along with lowering your calorie intake, you also need exercise regularly to burn off more calories than you take in.

Do set goals. When you set out to lose weight, you typically have a specific goal weight in mind. In order to make that goal, it is a good idea to set not only long-term goals but also weekly goals. This gives you something achievable to work toward and allows for you to see your progress along the way.

Don't obsess. There is a balance between focusing on your goal of losing weight and obsessing over every ounce you eat and every step you take. Set your goal and keep track of your progress, but don't lose yourself to the obsession. Live life a little and be OK with the cookie you ate yesterday.

Do use a grocery list. Have you noticed that when you go to the grocery store without a shopping list, you often buy things that you really didn't want and forget the items you need? When you are trying to lose weight, it is very important to shop with a grocery list. By preparing a list of items and only buying the groceries on your list, you increase the odds that you'll reach your weight-loss goals.

Don't purchase or consume processed foods with added sugar. It is very tempting to buy easy-to-grab processed foods at the store for a quick meal later. However, most of these pre-made foods are filled with chemicals and added sugars. Instead of allowing your body to use the foods you are eating as fuel, it has to process the waste, which in turn slows your weight loss.

>> Read more: Fuel Up: Best Food For Your Best Run

Do search for sites that offer weight loss support. It is normal to want to lose weight as quickly and efficiently as possible. Sometimes eating right and regularly exercising works a bit slower than you would like. If you are feeling a bit stagnant in your weight loss progress, there are many resources online that can give you the support you need.

Don't try anything that is dangerous. The Internet is loaded with ways to lose weight fast. However, many of them could be dangerous and the results temporary. The best way to lose fat and keep it off permanently is to set realistic, short-term goals that you know you can achieve.

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