With any goal in life, creating the right habits is the key to success. Because, habits allow you to effectively utilize your most valuable asset in life: your time. If your goal is to lose weight, then read on because I’m sharing my top healthy habits to lose weight.
Even if you’re not trying to lose weight but just want to get healthy, then all of these habits are still perfect for you. They’re easy, simple, and lead to an overall happier life!
1. Practice Good Mental Health Habits to Lose Weight
There is a direct link between mental health and physical health. It’s that mind-body connection that you often hear about and it’s a very real thing. Scientists are very aware that, when your mental health takes a toll, it’s highly likely to affect you physically. Weight gain is one of those common physical effects.
Your weight is directly tied up with your mentality. When people are struggling mentally, it’s very likely that they’ll:
- – Overeat unhealthy foods
- – Not exercise enough
- – Develop chronic medical conditions
All of these effects make it very easy for you to gain weight. Therefore, you must make it a point to get your mental health in line before you start making other changes. Some great ways to do that include:
- – Practicing meditation
- – Journaling
- – Seeing a therapist or even talking things out with a close friend
As a result, your mental health will improve and it’ll become easier for you to lose weight. Of all the healthy habits to lose weight, I recommend starting here.
2. Unplug From the Internet
Unplugging from the internet goes right along with improving your mental health. Specifically, social media or news media.
In 2021, you probably already know someone who’s made the choice to temporarily get off social media. And, I can totally understand why. Over-utilizing social media has links to:
- – Higher rates of depression
- – More eating disorders
- – Higher rates of obesity
I’m definitely not advocating that you completely get rid of the internet and social media forever! Because, at the end of the day, social media can enhance your weight loss journey when used correctly. Moreover, I’m advocating that you become more conscious of how much you’re using it and what kind of stuff you’re looking at.
The next time you open up your social media, ask yourself the following questions:
- – Is this preventing me from getting in my daily exercise?
- – Is this making me feel bad about myself?
- – Am I wasting valuable time now?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, I suggest re-evaluating your relationship with media. As it could be preventing you from making progress with your weight loss.
3. Incorporate Fun Into Your Weight Loss Routine
Here’s the thing: Weight loss doesn’t need to be and shouldn’t be a miserable process. Despite some of the negative narratives you hear, weight loss should be fun!
When you make losing weight more fun, it becomes so much easier to stick to! Some ways to make your weight loss routine more exciting include:
- – Taking group exercise classes
- – Working out outdoors
- – Meal prepping delicious and healthy meals with friends
Basically, I recommend that you find the ways you like to lose weight and stick with those. For example, if you enjoy hiking, then go for a hike rather than to the gym. There’s no need to take a bootcamp class that you don’t like when you could simply turn your hiking hobby into your workout.
Approach exercise and healthy eating with excitement! Because it’s a lot simpler to lose weight when you enjoy the process rather than hating it.
4. Spend Time Outdoors
There’s a ton of evidence out there showing that spending more time outside is directly correlated with having a healthier bodyweight. There are a couple different possible explanations for this including:
- – Nature can improve mental health
- – Sunshine provides vitamin D
- – Fresh air gives you more oxygen
First off, being in nature is great for your mental health. Studies show that the closer one lives to open green spaces, the healthier they often are. If you don’t have rolling pastures near where you live, don’t sweat it. Going barefoot in a grassy park can have some of the same effects.
Second, the sun is the best provider of vitamin D on the planet. In one study, women with higher levels of vitamin D had little to no weight gain over a four and a half year period. On the other hand, women with less vitamin D experienced weight gain.
Lastly, you get more fresh oxygen when you’re outside. With more oxygen flowing, it’s easier to get a more effective workout. Because, when you breathe in oxygen from the air, it gets into your blood which supplies your body with energy. As a result, you burn more calories during your workout which promotes weight loss.
Do what you can to spend more time outside. Whether it be a nightly walk or having lunch outside, just get out!
5. Make Your Plans Ahead of Time to Lose Weight
Without a plan, it’s really easy to fall off the rails. Weight loss is no exception. For example, if you don’t have healthy meals planned and prepped, the temptation to get fast food goes up a lot.
In addition to planning your healthy meals, I also suggest that you make a plan ahead for your:
- – Workout schedule
- – Cheat meals
- – Times to treat yourself
Not only does having a plan keep you on the rails, but it gives you things to look forward to and reward yourself with.
Another one of my most important healthy habits to lose weight is to make sure you make time for a cheat meal once or twice per week. Those cheat meals can be anything from a few pieces of pizza at lunch to a slice of cake at a birthday party. Whatever you want!
But, to make sure you don’t accidentally over-do the cheat meals, plan them ahead on your calendar. That way, you know exactly when you’re allowed to indulge and you get to look forward to it.
Final Thoughts on Healthy Habits to Lose Weight
Lose weight the healthy and sustainable way with my top healthy weight loss habits. I suggest that you start with just one, stick to it, and eventually add more over time. Doing things that way is the easiest method to turn these habits into full-on lifestyle changes.
