For many of us, weight loss is a major health goal. It increases your confidence when you achieve your fitness goals and makes you feel accomplished when you devote time to care for your body. Losing weight can do wonders for your health, too. Even losing just 5% of your body weight can relieve stress from your joints, reduce your chances of cancer and type 2 diabetes, lower blood pressure, and put you in a better mood.
When it comes to fitness, it’s crucial to turn to healthy lifestyle changes you can sustain over a long time. This helps you avoid relapsing from your efforts and gaining back the pounds you lost. And while that’s easier said than done, a support system can help you immensely. Here’s more about the support system and how it can help you achieve sustainable weight loss:
What does a support system look like?
Your support system consists of anyone who provides you with emotional support, knowledge, or practical assistance during your weight loss journey. These people can be family members, friends, or like-minded strangers who give you motivation and self-belief. They can even be fitness or healthcare professionals directly involved in your growth. If you’re having difficulty building your own community, the best weight loss plans can help you connect with these individuals. This way, you’ll always have someone who can entertain questions, give advice, and provide extra encouragement both remotely and in person. These people are integral to a sustainable lifestyle leading to weight loss.
How can a support system benefit your sustainable weight loss journey?
You are reminded to keep your weight loss journey healthy.
There may be times when your frustration can get the best of you. When this happens, having loved ones or professionals to guide you keeps you from spiraling into poor habits that might make the journey difficult. They remind you to observe healthy weight loss habits like setting realistic short- and long-term goals, avoiding sudden weight loss methods, and avoiding food triggers that might cause you to overeat. In doing so, they put a positive spin on weight loss so that you focus on rewarding yourself with care instead of punishing yourself with extra work.
You can adjust your efforts according to your circumstances.
Social support allows you to receive practical support. For instance, friends and family can babysit for you when you need to cook meals or work out. If you have a unique work set-up, such as traveling regularly or having unusual work hours, coworkers can guide you through what fitness efforts work best for them. Lastly, health and fitness professionals can streamline your weight loss with the proper workout and dietary plans so that you progress as efficiently as possible.
You stay motivated.
With sustainable weight loss being an ongoing effort, doing it alone can quickly lead you to lose motivation. Your loved ones can help you celebrate your wins and help pull you through bumps in the road. Dieticians or trainers can also help you stay on track by reassuring you when things aren’t going your way. Since they’re directly involved in your health, they know that progress isn’t always linear and can reassure you that you’re doing well. Moreover, with more fitness programs going virtual, you can feel committed to your journey and be more accountable for your weight loss efforts. So even when you feel like your efforts are lacking, the people around you can offer you perspective on your successes.
Weight loss can be discouraging when done alone. Having a support system can empower you every step of the way.
