11 Easy Things You Can Do TODAY to Jumpstart Your Weight-Loss Journey

As the sun comes out, so do our weight-loss aspirations. Unfortunately, after a winter of seemingly non-existent energy, tons of comfort eating, and sluggish workout sessions, it’s easy to put off change. Every day, we say “I’ll start tomorrow.” But if you follow these 11 simple strategies today, tomorrow really will be the day.
1. ASK YOURSELF WHY YOU REALLY WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT
If you’re going to quit your junk-food habit and change your lifestyle for good, you are going to need a deeper source of motivation than “I want to fit into a size two,” says Pamela Peeke, M.D., M.P.H., senior science advisor at Elements Behavioral Health and author of Body For Life For Women. So ask yourself: Why do you want to fit into a size two? The most motivating reasons are intensely personal, she says. Maybe your best friend has asked you to hike Machu Picchu with her, you can’t keep up with your kids any more, or you want to feel better about yourself. (Especially since clothing sizes are so arbitrary anyway.)
2. WRITE DOWN YOUR GOAL
It takes 10 seconds and ups your chances that you’ll meet your goal by 42 percent, per research from Dominican University. “Women suffer from wellness amnesia,” says Peeke. “Life is overwhelming, so it’s easy to shift our focus from healthy living to other things.” By writing down your goal — and keeping it where you can see it each and every day — you’ll keep it in the forefront of your mind, right up there with your other priorities.
