New Year New You: How to Keep Weight Loss Momentum

If you’ve started the year with a goal to lose weight, you may have already seen some success. However, you’ll need to keep the momentum going, which can be tough to maintain. The following tips will help keep your weight loss momentum going so you’ll be well on your way to a new you:

Substitute water for diet sodas.

You may think that drinking diet sodas are a good way to lose weight, but that’s not necessarily true. Some researchers believe their artificial sweeteners can encourage you to eat more, causing you to crave sweets.

Eat more spicy foods.

Spicy foods flavored with cayenne may help you burn more calories by increasing your metabolism. The spice can also help you feel full, reduce your appetite slightly, and help curb your cravings for fatty, sweet, and salty foods.

Allow yourself to make one bad choice.

If you view weight loss as a journey with some inevitable setbacks, it will be easier to get back on track after making one bad choice. Setbacks shouldn’t be thought of as “falling off the wagon,” but instead should be viewed as one momentary bad choice. This allows you to keep making better choices without feeling like a failure.

Eat less red meat.

Red meat is often high in calories as well as saturated fat, which can raise cholesterol. It also makes you more prone to gain weight and have an increased risk of heart disease, and circulatory disease. Choose better alternatives like beans, fish, and chicken, which have far less fat and fewer calories.

Stick with a plan.

Without a plan, it can be easy to raid the office vending machine or choose an unhealthy lunch. Instead, plan your meals on the weekend and stock up on healthy snacks for the week so you’re more likely to make healthy choices.

Eat more fruits and veggies.

Fruits and veggies are great for people who are trying to lose weight since they’re low in calories and high in nutrients. Many also contain plenty of fiber, which helps keep you full for longer periods of time and makes you less likely to overeat. Raspberries and artichokes are particularly good sources.

Appreciate your body.

Many people think of their bodies only in negative terms. We all come in different shapes and sizes, and comparing yourself to unrealistic images will only make you feel worse about yourself. Instead, of heaping hate on your body when you’re changing clothes or showering, take time to appreciate it.

To learn more about how to keep up your weight loss momentum in the New Year, make an appointment today for an evaluation with Katayoung Motlagh, M.D. Dr. Motlagh is a family medicine physician who specializes in services including weight loss and serves patients in Palmdale, Encino, and surrounding areas in California. Fill out the form on this page to request an appointment or call to learn more about our weightloss programs.