Weight loss isn’t about just changing one thing in your life; it is about transforming your life decisions. It doesn’t have to be difficult. By keeping five simple tips in mind, you will be on your way to your weight loss goals in no time.

1. Start with the end in mind

You need to have a set goal. We tend to work better under the guide of a deadline or a specific goal. People who have a specific goal weight tend to end up with better results than those who just go into it with a plan to lose weight. It is great to want to lose weight, but you need a goal to aspire to. 

Also, starting a weight loss routine can be difficult. If you start with thinking about how much better you will feel in the end, it will make those workouts and diet decisions easier. Think about the things you will be able to do that you can’t now. making a list and writing it down can be an extra catalyst as well. 

These suggestions do not mean you should give yourself a deadline, however. The pressure often associated with weight loss can create negative habits for your longterm weight loss goal. knowing that this is going to be a longterm thing you have to start living like someone that is at a healthier weight. What does this person eat? How much do they eat? When do they? These are questions you should be asking yourself on your quest for a healthier weight. Researcher found that those that took 2 months to identify foods and habits that would get and keep them at their goal weight were able to maintain their weight loss once they lost it. This was in comparison to the traditional model of "going on a diet" or "going on a health kick."

2. Balance Diet and Exercise

Diets are good and exercise is great, but you can’t focus solely on one or the other. To lose weight, you need a good mixture of both good diet decisions and good exercise habits. The pairing of the two is what will help you meet and maintain your goals. So what is a "good diet?"

This is going to vary from person to person and how aggressive their goal is. The underlying theme in any plan or program is more vegetables and more fruits. These are naturally filling because of the fiber and low in calories. Replacing your snacks with fruits and veggies can be enough to change your weight over time. 

For exercise, it depends where you are starting from as well. for example, if you have chronic pain and are not exercising at all, maybe a weekly walk and and a swim will get the ball rolling in the right direction. If however you only need to lose a little extra fat, you will need to be more aggressive. Remember that how your clothes fit and your distribution of weight is more important than what the scale says. These types of measurement based evaluations reflect muscle and fat distribution. Muscle weights more but is also more healthy for you and the physiological processes in your body. 

3. Hormone Optimization

An imbalance in your hormones can be a big culprit in gaining weight and it can make it difficult to lose it as well. If you find yourself dieting and exercising without the desired results, you may want to consider getting your hormone levels checked. They are notorious for keeping your body’s metabolism out of balance and making weight loss difficult.

If you struggle to find the energy to exercise, it may be coming from a hormone imbalance too. It is an easy fix, though. Consult with a doctor who understands hormones and he or she will help you to get them back in balance and on your way to feeling better and losing weight.

4. Manage Your Stress

Another big culprit when it comes to gaining weight or a difficulty with losing pounds is stress. We are all subject to it on some level, but you have to learn to deal with it so you can minimize the impact on your health. Stress causes a release of cortisol which can lead to insulin resistance. Insulin resistance what occurs in diabetics that makes weight loss, particularly in the abdomen so difficult. 

Find what works for you – whether it is reading a book, taking a walk, or getting a massage. The main goal here is to relieve that stress and keep cortisol surges to a minimum. daily habitual reminders work best because it is in our nature as humans to try to control and manipulate our environment. The balanced state of mind you should shoot for is acceptance of what is, while in pursuit of what you want. When you learn to accept the way things are you will be less frazzled, and able to focus on your weight loss journey.

5. Minimize Exposure and Increase Removal of Toxins

Environmental toxins can also be a hurdle to overcome in your weight loss journey. Chemicals in foods, plastics and many other products could be causing problems to your endocrine system and health. They could actually be causing the fat cells to hold onto the stored fat. Cut them out as much as possible by being aware of the products you are purchasing and using and you may just see the weight begin to melt off. You can also be tested for your environmental burden to see how much of an impact it is having. Some of us do not eliminate toxins well duet to genetic variations in their detoxification systems. Talk to a doctor that knows about chemical sensitivity and genetic vulnerability to them to see if you many need more testing. 

Need more weight loss support, suggestions, or help? Contact the naturopathic doctors at Southwest Integrative Medicine. They can get you to your weight loss goals at the speed of your choice. Click for free consult.