Top Tips To Lose Weight and Get in Shape FAST

Here's how to lose weight, get in shape, and STAY in shape... 

Losing weight isn't easy, especially if, like many people around the world, you've stacked on a fair amount of extra timber during lockdowns. 

The pandemic has seen a record number of men and women put weight on, due to gyms being closed, sports teams being shut down, and all the time spent staying at home, being inactive. 

Many of us are finding it increasingly difficult to lose the excess weight, with an incredible 85% of us unable to stick to our weight loss goals. 

So, in this article, we'll go through 5 key tips to help you lose weight, and most importantly, keep it off! 

1. Your diet doesn't have to be a diet

Choosing the wrong diet is one of the most common mistakes people make when trying to lose weight. The average person goes on three diets every year, and they fail all of them. 

Remember, losing the weight is hard enough, but keeping it off is even more difficult. Slashing your calories down to the bare minimum, and torturing yourself in the process, isn't a viable long-term goal. Once you come off the diet, you'll put all the weight straight back on. 

Be sensible with your eating. Think long-term. Think 'lifestyle change'. By making permanent changes to the way you eat, you'll put yourself into a position whereby once you lose the excess weight, you'll be able to keep it off, and stay lean for your forever days. 

Remember, eating less doesn't always mean you'll lose more weight. Stripping your body of certain nutrients can be detrimental to your fat loss journey. Be sure to know your foods, and pick a diet that caters for whatever goal you are trying to achieve, be it weight loss, muscle building, fitness, etc. 

2. Keep your workouts interesting

Boredom, and lack of willpower, is another big factor as to why so many people fail to stick to a weight loss routine - and that's the key issue, right there... 'routine'. 

Doing the same workouts and eating the same foods day-in-day-out, can be a chore in itself. Sure, it starts off fun, as you see the weight falling off, but once you reach your weight loss goal, it's incredibly difficult to stick to the same, mundane routine. 

Like with your eating, be sure to think long term with your training. Find ways to keep your workouts fun, and implement them into your lifestyle. Going to the gym isn't the only way to get into shape. Look at doing outdoor workouts, or swimming, or martial arts... there are so many options available to you. 

Working out should be a fun hobby, not a daily chore. 

3. Be patient, and keep your goals realistic

So many of us fail early on our weight loss journeys due to the fact we set ourselves such unrealistic goals. Getting in shape for a wedding, or a holiday, is not a long-term goal, and it most certainly isn't a lifestyle change. 

If you're serious about losing weight, getting into shape, and staying in shape, then scrap any short-term goals, stop weighing yourself every five minutes, and don't set yourself time-limits. 

Getting into shape isn't a quick process, especially if you're considerably out of shape. These things take time, certainly during the initial stages. If you're determined to be fit and healthy, then make the lifestyle change permanent. 

Be patient, enjoy your eating, enjoy your training, and you'll be in great shape before you know it. 

4. Cut down on the booze 

We all know that cutting back on alcohol will have many benefits to our health, but it's not an easy thing to do, because alcohol is such a social thing, and very much embedded into our lifestyles. 

We're not saying you should drop alcohol completely, but if you're serious about getting into shape, then you should seriously consider limiting your intake. 

By reducing your drinking to once a week, your fitness and weight loss goals will become more achievable, and you'll get there quicker, too. 

The same rule applies to soft drinks and energy drinks. Always opt for water! 

5. Get enough sleep and rest 

Getting into shape isn't a seven day slug. Rest is vitally important for weight loss, muscle recovery, and higher performance in your workouts. 

Many people make the mistake of training too often, without giving their body sufficient rest to recover. This can be detrimental to your training, and to your weight loss. 

Be sure to take days off from training, and try to get at least 8 hours sleep every night, as this will help reduce fatigue. Getting plenty of rest will allow your body to fully recover, which will help you progress with your weight loss and fitness goals.