Why a Successful Weight Loss Program Needs More Than Diet And Exercise

Most of us realize that in order to be successful in achieving weight loss goals, we need to include both diet and exercise, but did you know there are several other often-missed factors that can often be the missing links to obtaining overall good health and an ideal physical shape?

Whether you’re still trying to lose those last stubborn pounds or embarking on a new diet in the hopes of getting to your ideal weight, following these tips may be just what you need.

Sleep

The average adult needs 7-8 hours of sleep each night. If you aren’t getting enough rest, inadequate sleep can encourage your body to store more fat by driving your leptin levels down. Leptin is a hormone that sends the brain a signal to tell your body when it’s full. When you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t feel satisfied by eating and you’ll crave more food. You’ll also feel more lethargic during the day, and lower energy levels mean you’ll also burn fewer calories.

Meditation

Reinforcing your goal through positive messages is important in order to successfully achieve any goal, including weight loss.  Meditation is the best way to send your body, and your mind, the right message. It also helps to release stress; one of the biggest reasons people turn to food for comfort.

Increased stress also causes your body to produce more cortisol: a hormone that increases your appetite and drives you to eat more. Just one of the many benefits of meditation is that it reduces stress. Less stress ultimately equals an increased chance of sticking to a healthy diet.

In addition, using visualization through meditation has been proven to be highly effective. How you feel and what you think has a profound effect on who you are and what your life will be like in the future. By imagining yourself to be thin and full of vitality, you will increase the likelihood of reaching that reality.

By spending just ten minutes a day imagining you are the person you want to become, feeling your lighter step and abundance of energy, you’ll help rid your mind of negative thoughts which will allow you to achieve the shape you desire.

Cleansing your body

A gentle cleansing diet is an especially effective complement to a healthy diet and exercise routine. As a result of our modern busy lifestyles, filled with stress and nutrient depleted foods, toxins and impurities can quickly build up. Our bodies often store additional fat in order to protect themselves from these impurities, which can cause weight gain; counteracting all of that hard work and effort you’ve put into your diet and exercise program. By using a gentle whole body cleanse, you’ll get directly to the root cause of the problem, enabling you to achieve long-term weight loss.

Don’t beat yourself up

Guilt can cause many dedicated dieters to give up altogether. If you don’t feel well and need to skip a workout, or give in to the occasional treat, don’t beat yourself up – negativity never helps. Remember that everyone gets off track at some point, and the worst thing you can do is give up the good habits that you’ve begun. Start over the next day with a clean slate, and move forward!

Reward yourself

Don’t wait until you’ve accomplished your weight loss goal to reward yourself. Set mini goals either weekly or monthly, and if you achieve what you set out to do, reward yourself. Indulge in one of your favorite things; buy a new outfit or give yourself anything that you feel is a strong motivator for you.

Set up a special reward for reaching your ultimate goal. While getting back your health and being in great shape is probably the best gift you can give yourself, if you’ve always dreamed of traveling to a tropical paradise or participating in an event that you couldn’t with your weight holding you back, now is the time to do it!

Remember, you should be your number one priority. By being in peak physical and mental shape, you’ll have more energy to take care of the people in your life, as well as your other responsibilities.