2 Strategies to Lose Weight Now – Part 1

Most people I talk to are stuck in a nasty diet/lifestyle loop. They research the next best diet and workout program that promises to melt body fat fast while developing six-pack abs in a short amount of time. They create a massive plan, one of which seems simple and sustainable, and look to begin Monday morning (this is right after they eat and drink whatever they want all weekend). With the best intentions, it is only a few days before the diet fails and they are further behind than when they started.

Does this sound familiar? I have been there so many times. It’s so frustrating and in the end, you just beat yourself up by taking steps backward on your weight loss journey. 

I have completely changed my habits after being stuck for so long. I have always tried to be an outside-the-box thinker. I try to evaluate any situation and find simple, sustainable solutions that will work right away, and lead to long-term healthy habits. I have written extensively about my journey and how I have lost over 50 lbs. here.

When I reflect on my journey, I really like to think about how I can help others that may be where I was almost a year ago. So here are two simple yet effective strategies that you can implement today.

Strategy 1 – Analyze (like really, really analyze) what you are eating.

Many people who are trying to lose weight are pretty conscious of food labels. In my late teens, I became obsessed with food labels. I was obsessed with protein. I really didn’t care about other macronutrients. But my focus has completely shifted in the last year. So here is what I ask you to do…

Take a look at every label of every item you eat. Begin to identify the amount of fat per serving. Also, take notice of the number of calories per serving compared to the amount of fat. Lastly, compare the ingredients of what you are eating with the number of calories per serving. I want you to focus on the item you are eating vs. the amount of fat per serving vs. the number of calories per serving. The reason for this is I bet you see a high correlation between fat content and animal products. For instance, beef – high-fat content, cheese – high-fat content, processed snacks – high-fat content, etc. Many highly processed snacks contain some milk or egg derivative that drives up calorie content in products. This is because 1 gram of fat is 9 calories vs. protein or carbohydrates which have only 4 calories per gram. That’s over double! Even though fat in your diet is a necessity, having too much fat can make weight loss very difficult. 

As you begin to observe the labels, hopefully, you come to the realization that some of the foods you thought were healthy, are actually packing calories into your diet. Once you observe the higher fat content of your diet, it’s time to revamp your diet and lifestyle. I chose to go all-in on a plant-based diet. As I have focused on eating only plant-based meals, ditching animal products has reduced my fat intake dramatically. This has led me to lose over 50 lbs. without even trying. My favorite part of eating plant-based is that I can eat huge meals with low-calorie counts. Here is a good place to start

Check back for strategy 2 – Rethink Eating Out! In the meantime please feel free to see my other posts here.

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