Whether you’re trying to drastically change your lifestyle, or you’re just looking to lose a couple of added holiday pounds, weight loss can be a difficult and frustrating process. With so many different weight loss plans and programs, even choosing your course of action for losing weight can be a frustrating experience. Crash diets or fad diets provide quick results, but usually result in long-term weight gain. Diet pills may trim away the pounds, but their ingredients like ephedra or the high doses of caffeine can actually cause irregular heartbeats and even heart attacks.

Losing weight the healthy, patient way seems to be the most effective, but can often times be discouraging or painfully slow. However, by considering alternative ideas for losing weight, you may find that getting healthier doesn’t have to be such a drag. Improving your lifestyle is just as much mental as it is physical, so keeping your mind fresh can be a great way to start shredding pounds.

Throw Away Your Scale

Setting goals can certainly keep you motivated throughout the weight loss process, but sometimes getting caught up in the numbers game can weigh you down. Having a set-back can be extremely discouraging and may ruin your motivation. The big problem though, is that the number on the scale may not be a very good reflection of your overall weight loss or improvement in health. If you’ve been working out more frequently, your body is actually gaining muscle mass, which increases your weight. Also, since you’ve been exercising you’re probably drinking more water and other fluids, which will increase your physical weight.

By throwing away your scale, you can pay closer attention to how your body looks and feels. You may notice muscles that you never had before, or that you are getting deeper, more refreshing sleep. When you change your lifestyle, both your mind and body respond in a positive way. By focusing less on how much you actually weigh and more on the improvements you see and feel, you’ll be mentally encouraging yourself to keep on track with your physical regimen.

Add Foods, Don’t Subtract

Many diet programs out there suggest that you eliminate carbohydrates entirely from your diet. Others suggest cutting away dairy or red meat. In reality, a wholesome and balanced diet is necessary for your body to perform at its highest level. By eliminating carbohydrates, you are actually depleting your body of natural sources of energy. If you remove milk, cheeses, and yogurt you’re removing natural proteins that help your body rebuild muscle.

Rather than eliminating foods, begin expanding your diet in directions you’ve never considered before. In doing so, you’ll discover foods that taste good and provide your body with the healthy nutrients it needs to keep up with your increased physical activity. Foods like eggplant and sweet potatoes are packed with fiber, potassium, and B vitamins and can be cooked in a variety of delicious ways. Lean meats like salmon and top sirloin are excellent sources of the protein you need to rebuild muscles after a good work-out. Adding foods to your diet can expand your taste buds and have you craving healthier meals.

Mind, Body, and Soul

Once you’ve improved your mental outlook on weight loss and physically improved your body with exercise and healthy foods, you need to take care of your soul as well. Stress can be just as much of an obstacle as the treadmill when it comes to losing weight and developing a healthier lifestyle. Concerns about your career, financial security, or familial responsibilities can weigh you down more than any other physical entity.

By soothing your soul you can clear away the negative energy and increase your productiveness. Relaxation techniques like controlled breathing, yoga, or religious prayer can help ease your soul of its worries and allow you to develop a more positive outlook on your life. Try taking up morning meditation or periodically stretching in the break room at work. Cleansing your soul is a significant and necessary step in improving your lifestyle and increasing your overall health.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness.

Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness. http://www.laserspinewellness.com/

Author Bio: Peg Smith is an experienced writer who has written for a number of notable publications. As a lifestyle expert, Ms. Smith is able to offer advice and insight on a multitude of topics, including those pertaining to health and wellness.

Category: Wellness, Fitness and Diet
Keywords: health and wellness