Stressful day at work? A bigger serving size of ice cream. Birthday party? Throw that piece of cake with the big frosting flower my way, please. Before I know it all self-control is out the window. Back to square one.
Maybe you are like me: I start off strong, focused, committed to my goals. I make some progress, get a victory or two under my belt, and then I give in. There are several ways to boost your self-control so that you can successfully lose those unwanted pounds and keep them off!
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 69% of American adults are overweight. Being overweight can lead to many dangerous health conditions, such as high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, and heart disease.
Despite the risks, most of us have a hard time resisting the temptation of high-calorie foods and other unhealthy lifestyle choices.
Self-Control Tips For The Win!
Get plenty of rest.
Resisting the urge to cheat on your diet takes energy. You’re more likely to give in to temptation when you’re tired. Make preparations to get a restful night’s sleep and take frequent breaks during the day to boost your willpower. Read more about that here.
Identify cravings and make healthy substitutions.
Cravings can be irresistible and derail the most determined dieters throwing self-control right out the window. The next time you crave a specific food, satisfy the craving with a healthy substitute.
- Fresh fruit and vegetables are great alternatives when you’re craving calorie-heavy, crunchy chips.
- Try adding cinnamon to make foods taste sweeter without adding excess sugar.
- Other spices such as garlic, oregano, and basil can add flavor to foods without adding salt.
- Try broiling or pan searing some of your foods in place of frying them. You’ll still get a crunchy outer layer without the use of oil.
Focus on one area of improvement at a time
Our ability to exercise self-c
Allow success to build upon success. One step at a time.
Practice moderation
You can more easily strengthen your self-control if you take a moderate approach to dieting and exercise. Achieve success at weight loss by allowing yourself little indulgences from time to time.
Focus on things like portion control. Take on food tracking so you can see where you can allow for an indulgence here or there. You’d be amazed at how much you can actually have if you take the time to track your food.
Celebrate your success
We have more self-control when we have a clear goal that we’re working towards and feel as though our effort will be recognized or rewarded. Divide your overall weight loss goal into several smaller chunks and celebrate as you reach each level.
Choose a reward that isn’t tied to eating, such as buying a new outfit or going to see a new movie with a loved one.
Share your battle with a friend that will keep you on track
It’s easier to maintain your self-control and stay focused on achieving your weight loss goal when you have a friend to cheer you on and help you stay motivated. Joining our NewStart Insiders Facebook page is a great place to get daily motivation, encouragement and all the goods!
We’d love to have you be part of our Facebook family!
Use affirmations and positive visualization
Regularly visualize yourself at the size you wish to be. Use self-talk and verbal statements that affirm your ability to control yourself. Having the discipline to lose weight and keep it off can be very difficult.
This is especially true since high-calorie foods and other temptations are so readily available. Practicing these strategies can help you to increase your willpower and self-control so you can strengthen your health and win the battle for your wellness goals!
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