Here at Hypefive we tend to focus a lot on doing sports; but exercise is just one half of the equation. If you want to stay healthy and accomplish your weight loss goals on the long run, you also need to control your eating habits and give your body the kind of nourishment it needs.
There are countless diet plans out there, and it’s important to find one that fits your lifestyle and your needs. But if you’re just starting out, it can be difficult to know where to begin.
In general, finding a good diet and implementing it in your own life can be a daunting task for beginners, who might not know where to start or what diet is best for them. In this article we’ll explore the best way a beginner can start a diet and get into a healthy way of eating.
How to start a healthy eating habit: the beginner – friendly way
1- Start small
When you’re starting out, it’s important not to try and make too many changes at once. If you go from eating unhealthy foods to eating a completely healthy diet, you’re likely to feel overwhelmed and give up.
Start by making small changes to your diet; for example, replacing sugary drinks with water, or adding an extra serving of vegetables to your meals. Once these changes become habit, you can start making more significant changes.
Change is hard. Small, gradual changes in your diet are the best way to overhaul it. Experts suggest making one change per week, to give you enough time to get used to new behaviors. Your ultimate goal should be to completely replace your habits on the long run, and not to lose an arbitrary amount of pounds right away.
2- Start a diet that fits your lifestyle
There are countless diet plans out there, and it’s important to find one that fits your lifestyle and your needs. If you try to follow a diet that doesn’t work for you, you’re likely to get frustrated and give up. There are plenty of different diets out there – from the keto diet or low-carb to vegan options.
In general, if you can only remember one thing, make sure it’s this: healthy foods are great! Weight loss diets should include healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy products, nuts, seeds, beans, and fish.
If you’re a vegetarian, there are plenty of healthy diet options that include plant-based proteins. And no matter what diet you choose, make sure it includes plenty of fruits and vegetables too.
However, the important thing here is to not avoid completely the things you like. If you want to stick with your diet on the long run, you need to find a diet that allows you to eat the foods you enjoy occasionally, in moderation.
3- Use a food diary
A food diary is a great way to keep track of everything you’re eating, and it can be really helpful when trying to make changes to your diet. Writing down what you eat not only helps you stay accountable, but it can also help you spot patterns in your diet that you might not have otherwise noticed.
If you’re not used to writing down what you eat, it might take a little bit of time to get used to it. But over time, it can be really helpful in terms of understanding your diet and what changes you need to make.
If you’re trying to make changes to your diet, a food diary can be a great way to track your progress. Seeing the changes in what you’re eating over time can be really motivating, and it can help keep you on track.
4- Don’t start a diet; change your lifestyle
When it comes to improving your health, one of the most important things to remember is that you’re not starting a diet – you’re changing your lifestyle. If you go into dieting with the mentality that you’ll be able to go back to your old ways and eat junk food all day once you’ve reached your goal weight, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
It’s important to find a diet that’s sustainable for you; one that you can stick to on the long run. And remember, dieting is not a short-term fix. It’s something that you have to do every day, for the rest of your life.
5- Set Realistic Goals when you start a diet
Most people who need to lose some weight should start by setting realistic goals. You don’t have to go hungry or deprive yourself of foods you love; and maybe it’s not as easy as you think to lose 30 pounds before next summer. But you also definitely don’t need to!
Start slow and steady. Don’t expect miracles overnight, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have a few setbacks. Losing weight takes time, and it’s important to be patient.
If you’re just starting out, aim to lose 1-2 pounds per week, which is a healthy and sustainable pace. And remember, if you ever feel like you’re not making progress, always talk to your doctor or dietitian for advice.
6- Add exercise to the mix!
As you probably know if you’re into healthy living, watching what you eat is only half the formula to lose weight. Your body also needs exercise to stay healthy; and dieting without exercise is not only difficult, but it can also be dangerous.
When you diet without exercise, you’re more likely to lose muscle mass as well as fat. This can slow your metabolism and make it even harder to lose weight in the future.
Plus, exercise has a ton of other health benefits, such as reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. It can also help improve your mood and lower your stress levels.
So, if you’re looking to lose weight, diet and exercise are both essential. And luckily, dieting and exercising go together like peanut butter and jelly! So if you want to start a diet, pairing it with a new exercise regime can be the best option.
7- Find a support system
Finally, one of the most important things when trying to diet or change your lifestyle is to find a support system. Whether that’s friends, family, or an online community, it’s important to have people who will encourage you and help keep you on track.
And if you’ve read up to this point, you’ll know what we’re going to recommend: we’d be glad to have you join the Hypefive community! Here you’ll find an engaged community of active individuals who will help you find the best way for you to stay in shape while you have fun and achieve your goals in a way that’s tailored for you 🙂
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