At this point, there are likely very few people living in the United States that don’t know that being overweight is a problem in this country. Despite this common knowledge, most of us still have some weight we could lose.
Why is this? Most likely, this constant struggle with weight in America is caused by a lot of issues. However, in most cases, the problem seems to be in setting unrealistic, unattainable, and non-specific goals.
For example, according to the Mayo Clinic, not all weight loss goals are created equal (some can actually do the opposite and be discouraging and cause us to gain weight in the long-run). They explain how “unrealistic and overly aggressive weight-loss goals can undermine your efforts.”
What does the Mayo Clinic suggest?
The Mayo Clinic says that focusing on “process goals” (goals that involve the steps necessary to achieving your overall goal) and SMART goals (see above) is more efficient than setting large and often unattainable goals. For example, make a goal to decrease the amount of sugar and fat you consume. Or another functional improvement such as adding a specific amount of fruits and vegetables to your diet and/or drinking a specific amount of water every day.
Even academic journals support the fact that setting goals help those trying to lose weight, however, these goals need to be something you can do. Keep reading for smaller examples that you can do to help you lose weight.
Focus on improving what you consume.
When trying to lose weight, we often get caught up in the latest fad diet — that inevitably fails. The reality is that in most instances the only thing that helps you lose weight is healthy lifestyle changes. Therefore, make healthy changes to your diet that you can stick to and consider taking a supplement aimed at helping you healthily control your metabolism and your glucose uptake.
By taking an R-ALA (Alpha Lipoic Acid) supplement, you can receive assistance in weight loss while simultaneously receiving the health benefits associated with this important antioxidant. Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that has been shown to support vitamin E and vitamin C levels in the body. This can help people struggling with weight loss and glucose uptake that assists with issues related to diabetic neuropathy. R-ALA may also enhance insulin action in the body, functional improvements in your cardiovascular health, encourage circulation, and prevent cellular damage.
Always be sure to consult your doctor before starting an ALA, R-ALA, or S-ALA supplement (especially if you have insulin sensitivity and/or diabetes) as an ALA supplement can lower glucose levels in the body. Be sure to monitor your glucose levels while taking this supplement regardless of a diabetes diagnosis.
Make a goal to exercise.
What better way to get more exercise than by taking a class at Paddle Boarding Palm Beach? Plus, let’s be honest — if you live in Palm Beach, Florida, there’s no better way to get a workout than to spend time in the water. Not only does Paddle Boarding Palm Beach offer rentals and all of the gear you'll need for snorkeling and kayaking but they also offer fitness classes including paddle fit, SUP yoga, and SUP fitness.
Why do great workouts like surfing and paddleboarding have to be something we only do on vacation? When surfing into shore on a paddleboard is so much fun – why not do it several times a week for a fantastic full-body workout? Check out Paddle Boarding Palm Beach in West Palm Beach to get a fantastic, fun, and relaxing workout!
Above all — be realistic!
According to WebMD, the majority of overweight people trying to lose weight set the goal of losing 32 percent of their body mass despite the fact that it’s “unlikely” that most dieters will ever be able to lose a whole 1/3 of their entire body weight. Be realistic about how much weight you can lose and then make mini-goals that are health-based to get there.
Instead of focusing on just losing weight, focus on actively feeling better than you normally do. Make it about getting healthier, not just about getting thinner.
