7 Ways to Enjoy Your Weight Loss Journey

Posted On February 24, 2022February 24, 2022

There is nothing easy about weight loss. It takes more than just willpower – you need the right tools, support and motivation to keep you on the right path. For some people, the process of losing weight is miserable and exhausting. It is hard to stay focused when you are not enjoying the experience.

If this is your experience, you might be wondering:

Is there a way to enjoy my weight loss journey?

If you find ways to appreciate the process and steps of losing weight, you are more likely to stick with your plan and be successful. It is often not about which nutritional plan you choose or your exercise routine but finding ways to make positive changes in your life. Here are seven ways you can make losing weight fun and enjoy the journey along the way.

 1. Take Your Before Pictures

Many people who are unhappy with their shape or size avoid taking pictures at their heaviest. Those full-body pictures are a reminder of what they see as wrong with their body or personal failures. However, taking your “before” picture can help you see your progress even when the scale may not be showing much change and give you motivation along your journey. 

Take a full-body photo of yourself. You can use a full-length mirror and do a selfie or have a friend take it for you. Do not try to hide your “flaws” – wear clothing that reveals your shape. Take photos from the front, back and side to show all sides of your body. Even if you have already started losing weight, take the pictures. These pictures may make you cringe now, but as you start losing weight, they will be such a motivating factor to help you celebrate each accomplishment along the way.

2. Measure Yourself

Another true way to see your results is with measurements. If your goal is to reshape your body through weight loss, tracking size changes are important. When you lose fat but gain muscle at the same time, the scale may not move at all. However, a pound of muscle is much smaller than a pound of fat and it will show on your body. Your clothes can become looser even when the scale has not moved much at all.

 There are apps you can use to track your inches, or you can write them down in a journal – just make sure you record your measurements. Some areas to track include upper arms, chest, waist, abdomen, hips, upper thighs and calves. Measure every 1-2 weeks and see the difference in your body size as you become healthier.

3. Reward Yourself

Losing weight and improving your health are rewards in themselves, but it does not hurt to have extra prizes for reaching different goals. You deserve to treat yourself to something special when you get to each milestone in your journey. This is especially helpful if you have a significant amount of weight to lose. For each 10, 20 or more pounds you lose, choose a reward for your accomplishment. Some ideas include:

• A spa day with a friend
• A special item you have been coveting
• Vacation or weekend away
• A cosmetic treatment – hair extensions, lip enhancement, Botox, etc.
• Try something new – bungy jumping, zip-lining, art class, etc.

 Make a list of your reward goals and keep it on your phone. Track your progress and wait to splurge on your rewards until you meet each goal. It will make the journey so much more fun as you pat yourself on the back for staying on track.

4. Join a Support Group

Social media has made it easier than ever to find support for almost any personal achievement journey. Whether you are doing keto and want tips and recipes to make it simpler, or you want to join a group of people with similar statistics (age, weight, gender), there is a group out there for you. It is wonderful to have others applaud your success or listen to your struggles. It is also motivating to watch others succeed and know that if they can do it, you can too! 

5. Celebrate “Non-Scale Victories” (NSVs)

Not everything needs to revolve around the scale. Your weight can fluctuate for a variety of reasons that have nothing to do with whether you are losing fat or not. Think about what you want to accomplish outside of weighing a certain amount. Some of the NSVs that you may experience and celebrate include: 

• More energy – notice how more you get more done every day
• Increased stamina – you can keep up with your kids or run up a flight of stairs with ease
• Getting up and down off the floor is easier
• Improved health – better blood pressure, resting heart rate, etc.
• Fitting into clothes- you have not worn in years

 NSVs are just as good as reaching a number on the scale. In fact, they can be sweeter victories to taste as they are true measurements of success. Celebrating and enjoying these victories can make your weight loss journey fun and exciting. Every time you make progress and recognize your achievement, it will motivate you to continue on to the next goal. 

6. Love the Food You Eat

Eating less to lose weight does not need to be dull or unenjoyable. There are plenty of tasty options that can fit into almost any diet plan. While not everyone loves to cook, it is worth trying out some new recipes and ideas to make eating healthy taste great. Adding spices and low-calorie sauces or condiments can jazz up your foods.

 There are more options available than ever for flavorful foods that fit into your diet plan. You do not need to live off celery sticks or dry tuna – find foods you love to eat and add them to your meals. Whether you are just restricting calories or you are trying keto, there are many options for tasty snacks, condiments and sweets. Google your favorite food in a low-calorie, low-carb or keto-friendly version. There are likely options available that will fit your plan. 

7. Take the “Easy” Way Out

For some reason, we often make losing weight harder on ourselves than it needs to be. It is always difficult to make changes, so why wouldn’t you want to find an easier path to achieve your goals? You use GPS to get where you want to go in your car faster and more efficiently, right? 

Here’s the truth: 

There are shortcuts to weight loss and body contouring that work. When you use certain supplements, appetite suppressants, fat burners or other medical weight loss options, it is easier to lose weight – period. At Arcadia Wellness Center, we can make your journey to your ideal weight easier and more enjoyable. We offer a variety of weight loss treatments that can reduce your appetite, increase fat burning, diminish fat cells, tone muscle and contour your body. Why struggle more than necessary to get to the weight and shape you desire? There is nothing wrong with taking the “easy” way to get where you want to go. 

Weight loss is hard, but it can also be a fantastic and fulfilling journey when you take the time to enjoy the milestones along the way. Finding ways to enjoy the ride instead of only the destination will help make your journey more successful. If you want to explore medical options to enhance your weight loss efforts or cosmetic treatments to reshape your body, come see us at Arcadia Wellness Center. Call our facility in Phoenix, AZ to schedule your weight loss consultation today!