6 practical steps to start losing weight today

Are you ready and motivated to start losing weight but out of ideas on how to start? Don't despair - to begin, all you need are some simple but practical steps to follow. 

Here we’re going to look at six easy ways to kick-start that healthy eating, healthy living way of life. These are just some of the ways you can increase your chances of success on the road to a healthier, happier lifestyle.

Just remember, the better you plan, the better your chances of reaching your goals.

Are you trying to lose weight? Read our comprehensive guide on weight loss to understand where to begin, what happens when you lose weight, and what doesn't work when it comes to dieting.

Clean out your fridge

While it’s easy to start with good intentions, willpower can often crumble when faced with temptation. Temptation can come in many forms. Some people simply love sweet treats, while others can’t get enough savoury snacks.

Chances are, if you love a certain type of food, you will have it in your fridge or cupboards. If you come face-to-face with those foods every time you go in your kitchen, you’re more likely to want to eat them. The key is to avoid them, to avoid temptation.

Starting out on your weight loss journey means cleaning out your kitchen. While there’s nothing wrong with a little treat now and then, it’s best not to have a kitchen full of sugary drinks, processed foods and empty calories calling out to you when you’re trying to change your ways.

Clean out your fridge and your cupboards, getting rid of all the food you know you shouldn’t be eating. Then, stock up on all the fantastic foods that will fill you full of energy and help you lose weight.

Weigh yourself

To reach your goals, you need to understand your starting point. While stepping on the scales can seem like somewhat of an ordeal, it needs to be done. This stands as a record of your starting point. While you’re at it, get out the measuring tape and write down your measurements.

When we are trying to lose weight, it can be difficult to see progress. We’re putting in so much work, and we want to see some results. By recording your starting weight and measurements, it gives you a clear and definite starting point on your weight loss journey.

As you progress, avoid weighing or measuring yourself every day. Instead, set a time to do it once a week. Write down your new weight and measurements each week, and celebrate your achievements as you progress.

Set some goals

With a clear starting point, it makes it easier to set yourself goals. It’s important to make sure these goals challenge you, but that they are also achievable. You need to feel that you’re succeeding each week, but make sure you don’t set yourself up for failure.

Depending on your starting weight, you may want to begin with a goal of losing half a kilo a week. However, when you first start out, you may find that you are losing more – or less. The key thing to remember is to stick with it. If you’re not hitting your targets, you may need to reassess whether they’re achievable – or see what else you could do to achieve them.

Recruit some help

Need some back-up? Getting help along the way can help you reach your goals with much less hassle. Having friends or family members as helpers can help keep you accountable in your diet and exercise plan. They can offer support if you’re finding it tough, and they can help celebrate with you when you succeed. Go on, recruit your very own cheer squad.

Get outdoors

One of the best things about summer is the opportunity it provides to get outside. While jogging in the rain is no one’s idea of a nice time, a little sunshine can make all the difference. Find an activity you enjoy doing outdoors. This could be walking the dog or swimming, bush walking or kayaking. Whatever activity you’re doing outdoors, it’s likely to be more fun than trying to slog away in the gym.

Get started!

No more excuses – it’s time to get started! You’ve cleared away temptation, you weighed and measured, you’ve set goals and you’ve got a cheer squad. Now it’s time to get started, get healthy and get active. No one else is going to do it for you!