Shedding those extra pounds can be quite a challenge and keeping them off is even more challenging. There is no one size fits all method for losing weight and keeping it off. Cleanses, weight loss pills, and crash diets are just temporary fixes with little long-term success. The foundation for successful weight loss requires discipline, focus, and a long-term commitment to your health every single day.

How does someone make a permanent lifestyle change? Here are a few tools to get you moving towards a healthier you:

  • Support system: Enlisting the help of family and friends is critical. Lifestyle changes like a new way of eating works best if the whole family is on board and supportive. Trying new healthy recipes and cooking together is a fun way to get everyone involved. Sharing your progress on social media is a way to expand your network of support and helps with additional accountability. Keep in mind that professionals like registered dietitians, health coaches, physical therapists, and counselors are available to help.
  • Scale: A home scale is a terrific way to check in on all the progress you have made, especially one like the Dario Smart Scale that connects directly to the Dario App! It helps you to see the connection between your new lifestyle changes and the numbers on the scale. However, it’s important to remember that the numbers don’t always tell the full picture. For example, daily water fluctuations or too much sodium can alter the result. And remember there are other ways to measure success like how you feel and how your clothes fit.
  • Food tracking app or journal: Keeping a log of the foods you eat helps provide insight into your daily eating habits. Do you tend to eat the bulk of your calories in the evening after a stressful day at work? Are you only getting two servings of fruit and vegetables per day? Tracking food improves our awareness because everything we eat is logged. It is also helpful to jot down or track how you are feeling to see if there is a connection between what you are eating and your feelings.
  • Water bottle: Increasing your hydration is associated with weight loss. Thirst is often mistaken for hunger. Fortunately, there are many unique water bottles to keep us refreshed and engaged. Motivational water bottles are popular and offer a reminder to drink depending on the time of day. Insulated water bottles are designed to keep water extra cold and are exceptionally durable.
  • Fitness Tracker: Engaging in regular exercise is especially important for weight maintenance. A tracking device like a watch, pedometer, or even a smartphone app that tracks steps are all great options to keep you moving. If cost is an issue, there are low-cost options available that work just as well. Setting daily step goals and recruiting friends and family to use trackers can be great motivators. A little friendly competition goes a long way.

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