Musings: To Anyone Thinking of Starting a Weight Loss Journey

Maybe I'm a bit late to this party with January being over and all that (well over), however I'm a firm believer that there is no time like the present to get started on a weight loss journey. Here are some of the things I think are important, and I hope they help.

1) Take measurements & pictures

Oh how I wish I'd taken more 'before' pictures and had taken my measurements. Sometimes the scales don't budge, or you have days feeling a bit crappy and you need a reminder of how far you've come. I'm glad I did take the progress pictures I did, but sometimes it would be nice to see the inches I've lost too, or compare other photos than the few I have. Yes it's embarrassing when you're starting, but so rewarding once you've been on plan for a while.

2) Find a plan that works for you

I've always loved Weight Watchers, and Filling and Healthy is definitely the plan that works for me, however it's not for everyone, and that's ok. Maybe you don't want to follow Weight Watchers, maybe Slimming World or Rosemary Connoley or the 5:2 diet is for you.  It doesn't matter. just find something that works for you and that you can stick to, and that's all that matters.

3) Reward yourself along the way

I have a list of mini goals that I look at to make my weight loss seem less daunting. Each week I give myself a target to aim for, and once a goal has been reached I quickly give myself another one. Make a note of when you accomplished certain goals to remind yourself of your achievements.

4) Find a community and hold yourself accountable

I love Instagram and setting up my Fatty Wants a Biscuit account has been the best thing I've done. I've found a great group of people who are supportive and kind and help to spur me on. I hold myself accountable to things by posting pictures of my food and fitness progress and it really helps keep me on track. Find something similar for yourself.

5) Just do it

Don't wait till Monday or after that important event, start now. I started on a Wednesday, two weeks before my family holiday. I literally woke up that day, looked for a meeting and went. I still had a fabulous holiday AND lost 3lbs. Anything is possible if you just believe.

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