By: Tamara | Last updated February 13, 2019 
How many diets have you tried so far? How many times did you get excited about losing a few pounds, only to gain them back after a short while? We all tend to think that low carb wonder diets or starvation are the winning ticket and we get so focused only on certain aspects of the problem, while ignoring the most important things.
Just like with anything else in life, success begins with a proper mindset. It is not just about what you eat, but rather about your entire lifestyle.
Here are some useful tips that can help you lose those extra pounds and keep them off:
Make a plan and stick to it! Jot down a general plan to follow and stick to it. It should include every aspect of your life, from eating to sleep and exercise.
Analyze and improve you eating habits. More often than not, the problem is not necessarily what we eat, but in what quantities and when. Emotional eating has become a real problem nowadays. We tend to eat something every time we are bored or depressed and with our every favorite episode, while getting lost in endless streaming marathons. We push dinners way past 9 pm and we often finish our kids’ meals, because it’s a shame to waste food. Take some time and evaluate your eating habits and see if you recognize yourself in any of the aforementioned patters. Try to stop eating your meals in front of the computer/TV, try to count those pizza slices and stop eating dinner late in the evening (you shouldn’t have dinner after 8 or 9 pm, the latest).
Don’t do anything else while you are eating. Regardless if it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner, you should make a habit to focus on your plate and nothing else. Getting lost in interesting conversations, constantly checking your Facebook or Instagram account, browsing on your phone/computer or watching TV are all distracting activities. If you get distracted, you tend to eat more than you need, because your mind is preoccupied and loses count.
Don’t skip breakfast. A lot of people ignore the importance of a healthy breakfast. Coffee, a muffin or a bagel are not exactly healthy morning choices! A nourishing, protein and fiber based breakfast can keep you full for a longer time and you won’t feel like gulping down everything that falls in your hands by lunch time. It can also help you start your day full of energy and stay focused at work/in school, etc. Try to make a habit of never skipping breakfast again. Have an omelette, some scrambled eggs, a healthy smoothie, some plain Greek yoghurt with some fruits, etc.
Improve your sleep. Lack of sleep increases your appetite. Sticking to a healthy sleeping schedule can be a tough thing to do, especially in your adulthood, when your mother doesn’t send you to bed anymore. But try to get a good night’s sleep every night. Adults should get 7 to 9 hours a sleep/night. It is also not just about the quantity of your sleep, but about its quality, too. Try to get to bed no later than 10 pm. You can also apply some useful tips to help you improve your sleep habits: keep the temperature cooler in your bedroom and don’t sleep with your phone right next to you.
Don’t do it alone. And by ‘it’ we mean don’t try to lose weight by yourself. Try to get a close friend, your spouse or a relative to embark with you on this journey. This way you’ll feel more motivated and you’ll make things easier since you don’t have to go through everything alone. You’ll share thoughts, you’ll encourage each other and you’ll even have a jogging buddy or a gym partner.
