Five Strategies to Boost Your Weight Loss Momentum

Submitted by Brittany King, APN, WHNP, Advanced Women’s Healthcare

At any given point, roughly 50 percent of American adults are trying to lose or maintain their weight. But instead of a leaner, healthier society, Americans are the heaviest they have ever been. More than two in three adults are overweight or obese, even though Americans spend $65 billion per year on dieting products and programs. Something is not working.

The “rules” of weight loss are constantly changing — eat this, don’t eat that, take this supplement and do this exercise routine. While eating less and exercising more sounds like a simple formula, finding the right weight-loss strategy isn’t usually as easy as it seems. A one-size-fits-all approach is rarely the key to success. Many people have been diligent, focused, and given their full effort to losing weight, yet some small aspect of their mindset or lifestyle became a hang-up. Sometimes an element not even related to their health was holding them back.

Following are five strategies to help drive your weight loss goals and break through those hang-ups.

1. Give the scale a break. Don’t center your weight loss success on a number. A simple scale doesn’t come close to measuring the significant changes happening in your body during your weight-loss journey. Keeping track of your daily weight may complicate your strategy as you experience daily highs and lows. Instead of focusing on a number each day, notice changes in how your clothes are feeling, and how you feel and move overall.
2. Adjust your media intake. Media is one of the biggest sources for weight loss and health advice, but these messages are typically generalized and based on observational research rather than proven methods and techniques. This can become frustrating and leave a negative impact on your weight-loss success. Social media can also leave you feeling defeated. Take a break from the media and pay attention only to what truly inspires you to be your healthiest self.
3. Let your closet be a source of motivation. New clothes are exciting and you almost always want to wear them right away. But if you can’t, allow that wardrobe to fuel the power of your weight loss goals. Additionally, if you have favorite outfits that are a size or two bigger than they should be, consider donating them to nudge yourself in the right direction.
4. Pamper yourself. Whether it’s a manicure or a massage, some type of weekly or monthly reward for your hard work is well-deserved and also recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle. Rather than treating yourself with food as a reward, pamper yourself in other ways and reflect on how far you’ve come.
5. Take it one hour at a time. When you’re starting out, losing weight can seem like an overwhelming aspiration. Breaking it down into smaller increments can make it more manageable. Start by having one “healthy hour.” Take the stairs, take a lap around the office at work, or ask for a salad instead of fries with your meal at lunch. As you conduct more and more “healthy hours,” pretty soon your entire week will become healthier. Focus on improving the present rather than the future.

Your individual idiosyncrasies and characteristics make you unique, so not everyone’s weight loss strategy will be the same. If you need help in losing or maintaining your weight, consider a consultation with your medical provider. Sometimes it’s the unexpected, offbeat methods that are key to boosting your weight loss momentum.

Brittany King is an advanced practice nurse specializing in women’s health. She works alongside Dele Ogunleye, M.D., to provide a full range of obstetric and gynecologic services. She is now offering a new program for weight loss. To find out more, you may contact Brittany at Advanced Women’s Healthcare at 309-808-3068 or www.awhcare.com. The office is located at 2111 East Oakland Avenue (Next to the Jewel-Osco Plaza).