Beginner Tips to Start Your Weight Loss Journey
Weight loss can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be complicated!
When I began my weight loss journey, six years ago I felt overwhelmed and unsure where to start. It was important to me to make realistic changes that would actually make a difference, without becoming obsessed with food and calorie tracking. After years of trial and error, here are the 5 best tips that helped me at the beginning of my 50-pound weight loss journey.
Prioritize protein.
Protein is crucial for building and maintaining muscle, supporting recovery, and keeping you full and satisfied. I now aim to eat roughly one gram of protein per pound of my goal body weight each day. A simple tip is to include a quality protein source at every meal to help you stay full and support muscle while losing weight. There are also a lot of protein options that come pre-cooked, which helped me a lot throughout my journey, especially on nights when I didn’t feel like cooking!
Schedule your workouts.
Putting workouts on my Google Calendar has always motivated me to attend them. It was as if I was adding an appointment into my day, and since it was scheduled, I was much more likely to follow through. I also experimented with a few different workout studios and gyms to find what I liked best. Group workout settings are where I feel most motivated!
Drink plenty of water (and consider electrolytes).
Sometimes drinking water isn’t enough, and you need additional electrolytes to help replenish your body. Consuming high-quality electrolytes has been a daily staple for me, especially during hot summer months. Staying hydrated can help with energy, performance, and even hunger. Electrolytes can be especially helpful if you’re active or sweat a lot. To make it easier, I have compiled all of my favorite electrolytes on Amazon HERE!
Stock your kitchen with healthy foods you actually enjoy.
When grocery shopping, I like to plan out easy and nutritious meals to make and snacks to have throughout the week. If your pantry and fridge are full of healthier options that you actually enjoy, then you will be much more motivated to eat at home. If nutritious foods taste good to you and are easy to grab, you’ll be more likely to stay consistent. Having healthy and convenient items in your home, like high-quality protein bars, greek yogurt, chicken, etc. will allow you to stay on track with your goals even when in a time crunch.
Weigh your food for the first 2 weeks.
Eating whole, nutrient-dense foods is essential, but even healthy foods can contribute to weight gain without portion awareness. It’s not about eliminating anything… it’s about finding balance and the portion sizes you need to feel good and satisfied. This isn’t something you need to do forever, but I strongly recommend doing it enough to learn what proper portions actually look like. Most people are surprised by how much they’re unintentionally over- or under-serving themselves.
Remember: You don’t need to be perfect… you just need to be consistent. Small habits repeated every day lead to lasting results. Focus on one thing at a time, and you will be on the road to success. Remind yourself that this is a marathon, not a sprint. Once you reach your goal weight, you need to work hard to maintain it as well. It’s all about making one swap at a time, and you will be on your way to success!
Have a great day!
– Hunter Stoler | Health With Hunter
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