Changing behaviors, especially long-established behaviors, can be a really difficult thing to do. Unfortunately, certain goals, like losing weight, quitting smoking, making a career change, and more, can all require you to change some of the habits and routines that you’re used to and incorporate new habits that’ll more effectively help you reach your set goal.
Not all behavior changes are actually created equal, however, and if you want to meet your goal, you’ll have to find the habits that work best for you.
These habits are things that you can actually do to help you move closer to your weight loss goal. And while ultimately achieving your goal can take some time, starting with some of these smaller steps will, in fact, help you get there.
1. Work with an accountability partner.
For Jenna Leveille, who works in sales and health coaching, teaming up with supportive people who could help keep her accountable when she was going through her own weight loss journey was extremely important. She also founded GettingCloserEveryday.com and the companion Facebook group to be that support group and “fit family” for each other.
“I believe that if I didn’t have the people that were in my life and then my boss, who’s now my best friend and business partner, if he was not cheering me on everyday and lifting me up and talking me through the low points and the high points, that I would not be here today and I would have not made it — the choices and had the success that I had,” Leveille said. “I was ready, I did all the work, I get that, but I think it is pivotal to have that in your life.”
2. Wear comfortable clothing.
You may not think that wearing comfortable clothing would actually help you to lose weight, but doing your best to wear clothing (and shoes) that you’re comfortable in most of the time might help you to fit in more activity.
People who wear casual clothing at work take about 500 more steps, which adds up to about 25 additional calories burned each day, Dr. Luiza Petre, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and weight management specialist, told INSIDER.
“It may not sound like much, but all those burned calories will add up to significant weight loss with very little extra effort,” Petre said.
3. Exercise earlier in the day.
It can be difficult to get up early in the morning before work to make sure that you fit in some exercise, but doing so consistently might help you achieve your weight loss goals.
“So much can happen during the course of a day such as late meetings, traffic, sick kids etc. that will derail anything other than a morning workout,” Dr. Lia Kay, a board-certified internal medicine physician, told INSIDER. “It also sets the tone for the rest of the day. One good habit leads to another. If you get your workout done bright and early, you are more likely to eat well for the rest of the day. Moreover, workout releases endorphins. Happy people have more confidence, which lead to better job performance. I think that is a win, win, and win."
Hitting snooze can be so tempting, but committing to your morning workout and changing your behavior so that you always work out in the morning might be worth it.
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