The only thing that will decide whether you actually want to lose weight in the now, is your perception of your body. Here’s a little quiz to help you determine whether your reasons to start losing weight is powerful enough:
Are you comfortable in your skin?
Can you undress confidently in front of your man without worrying about flab spilling out?
Can you dance confidently in a club with a devil-may-care attitude?
Do you shop often for clothes?
If yes, is your first reaction on seeing yourself in new clothes, critical or approving?
Lastly, do you FEEL HAPPY about being the shape you are in NOW?
Honestly, I do not need to provide you with an answer because while you were taking that quiz, your mind has already worked out whether or not you are ready.
If you are still reading this, you are more than just ready and even a little motivated. Here, at this point I will just tell you one thing and with hundred percent faith and confidence: if you manage to stay consistent and self-motivated for the next 2 months, you will lose close to 5% of your body weight.
Understand that every person’s requirement is different. Some people are struggling to lose the stubborn last 10 pounds while others might just be starting off. Also, how your body reacts and the amount of effort you put in directly influences the end result, hence I did not say that you will lose so and so pounds by the end of 2 months. That goal number has to be fixed by you.
How do I determine my Short Term weight loss goal?
There are three factors to be taken into account to calculate your 2 month’s goal
• Current weight and Measurements.
• Daily caloric requirement
• How many hours of exercise can you put in throughout the week
Current Weight
Maintain a weight loss diary with weekly updates, motivational quotes, etc. Take your weight the first thing in the morning after you’ve used the restroom. Make sure that you weigh yourself either naked or just your inners.
Measure your chest, upper and lower waist, hips, each thigh (at their widest) and each arm. Jot it down in your weight loss diary in an organized manner.
Now, if you think that you are someone who starts tearing her hair out seeing no change on the scale, then I’d advise you to not weigh yourself before the 2 month’s mark. However, if your diet and workout isn’t affected by the number on the scale, then weight yourself weekly to keep a tab.
Daily Caloric Requirement
BMR or Basal Metabolism Rate is the rate at which your body would burn calories even if you lie in bed all day. When people want to maintain their current weight, they are advised to consume calories limited to their BMR.
However, since you are trying to lose weight you need to create a deficit between BMR and calories consumed. Consider your body similar to a water balloon (pardon the pun), the balloon needs a certain amount of water to reach its maximum size, now if you keep reducing the water content by 1 teaspoon, the balloon would eventually start to shrink in size.
Similarly, consuming less than the allotted caloric value (which is the BMR) you are creating a deficit and will hence burn fat faster, but remember that at all times you must not eat below 1200 calories plus minus 75 calorie units.
Your BMR is calculated taking your weight, age, sex and height into accordance.
Exercise
Like the old adage goes: eat less burn more! Exercising is not just limited to the gym; the idea is to be active. If you can’t afford the gym membership or don’t have the time, be resourceful: run up and down the stairs or dance while cooking.
You know you are truly working out when you start sweating a lot and your heart rate pumps up; strolling at 2mph for 30 hours is not enough if you want to lose close to 2 pounds a week.
A good workout, no matter if you are doing it at the gym or in your backyard, is the one where you can feel the burn.