- Exercise – start gently and build up gradually. I soon discovered that by exercising I could earn extra calories to add to my daily allowance. I soon got addicted. Not only does it earn you the extra calories, it also gets those endorphins flowing, a natural chemical necessary in the battle against depression. Exercising also got me out into the open air more often, and soaking up some much needed natural daylight. Another necessary ingredient in the fight against depression.
- Invest in a set of kitchen scales and make them your best friend. You will be amazed at what 2 ounces of breakfast cereal actually looks like! Be conscious of just how big your portions are.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of food. There are so many lovely tastes and textures out there. I’ve tried many new recipes and most of my food now is cooked from scratch.
- Set realistic goals but try not to aim for a specific event. In my experience when I wanted to lose weight for that particular event I then lost my way once the event has happened.
- Water! I never used to drink plain water, but it really is the magic ingredient in weight loss! Aim for 2 litres a day. You don't have to drink it all at once :) I now drink water automatically. Even on a night out if I’m having soft drinks I will have bottled mineral water.
- Be patient. It has taken a lifetime to reach this point in your life. Changes can happen, but they do take time.
- Don’t give up. What does it matter if you take the scenic route on this weight loss journey? It means the weight is all the more likely to stay off!
Dig deep into your heart and ask yourself this: ‘How much do I want to lose weight and how much effort am I prepared to put in?’
Only one person can lose this weight and that’s you. Once you make that decision to go for it, just do it! Never put off to tomorrow what can be done today! I’m sure that, like me, you will wish you’d done it years ago.
What is a few months, or even a couple of years, to get to where you REALLY want to be compared to how long it’s taken you to get to this point in your life. It may have taken you 20, 30, 40, even 50 years so far, so what’s a little longer to turn it all around?
