Figuring out how to lose weight – and lose it fast – can seem like a riddle that is impossible to solve. There is so much information (and misinformation) out there on the topic that it can be difficult to determine what is true and what isn’t. If you want to see for yourself just how many women are looking for answers to this question, do a search on Pinterest or Google. You will find tons of information – some of it valuable and some of it downright dangerous – about ways women can lose weight fast. You are not going to find a magic pill that is safe and causes you to lose weight overnight. But, if you are willing to put in some effort upfront and commit to the process, there are some steps you can follow to help you lose weight as quickly as possible without putting your health in danger.
Examine your thought processes
If you want to lose weight – and keep it off – the first step you should take is to examine your thought processes. This is important! For so many women the things that get in the way of losing weight the most aren’t physical but mental, emotional, and psychological. What is your relationship with food? Do you go to it for comfort? Do you punish yourself by feeling guilty any time you enjoy food? Are you worried that proper nutrition will be too complicated? Is there something holding you back from starting a workout plan? Are you afraid of failure? Are you concerned about what others may think if you start working out? The list of questions, doubts, and concerns that women have in relation to the process of losing weight can go on and on. If you do not address your relationship with food, your fears about the process, etc. it can cause you to quit before you ever get started. Your success in losing weight and keeping it off starts with you believing that it is possible.
Establish an eating plan that is sustainable
A big mistake that many women make when trying to lose weight is following an eating plan that is unsustainable. If you feel like your new way of eating is temporary it will be easy to return to your old habits once you reach your goal. This can lead to the cycle of losing weight only to gain it back again. If you want to lose weight fast and keep it off, you need to establish an eating plan that is sustainable from the very beginning. This means making changes that you can incorporate into your life for the long-haul. Each person is unique so the best nutrition plan will look different from person to person. Some people thrive on a plant-based eating plan while other do well on a paleo-style eating plan. The same rules of weight loss apply no matter what nutrition plan you choose: You have to create an energy imbalance by taking in less energy (calories) than you burn, or to put it another way, burning more energy (calories) than you take in. Establishing an eating plan that provides you with a calorie deficit – without making you feel like you are constantly deprived – is a key component of quick and lasting weight loss.
Dive into strength training
If you are just getting started on your weight loss journey, you may be surprised to learn that strength training is an important part of losing weight fast. Many women default to doing long cardio sessions because of the amount of calories cardio can burn. It is true that cardio burns more calories than strength training – in the beginning. But, over the long run, strength training will help you lose weight and keep it off. Your body will quickly adapt to long cardio sessions and you will find it more and more difficult to see results. In fact, as your body adapts to excessive amounts of cardio, it can cause metabolic slowdown which basically means it will have a negative affect on your metabolism. Strength training does the opposite – as you build muscle mass it increases your metabolism. A higher metabolism means that you will burn more calories throughout the day, even when resting. This can help you hold on to your weight loss results and avoid the lose-gain cycle that many women experience.
Working on your thought processes, establishing a sustainable eating plan, and committing to strength training can work together to provide you with weight loss that is quick but will also last. If you want real results you have to put in the time and the work. You can find a ton of resources to help you accomplish your weight loss and fitness goals on the Mind Pump Media blog, YouTube channel, Podcast, and product page.
