How To Feel Energized During Weight Loss?

This feeling of malaise can cause even a committed dieter to reach for a soda or other high-sugar treat to attain the temporary high sugar may induce.

When taking on a new diet, most people will achieve greater success when pairing the diet with behavioral changes that boost endorphins and foster euphoria. These tips will help maintain a good attitude, which can increase weight loss results and help achieve goals faster.

Eat smart

Though most diets restrict intake and reduce calories, success is more attainable for those that don’t focus on eliminating food but instead focus on choosing the right foods. That said, even if you're celebrating with friends, you can still eat healthily.

Dieters need to eat foods high in protein and iron such as lentils, beans, spinach, nuts, poultry, and meat. Additionally, choose foods with high iron to boost energy, heighten the immune system, and help to deliver oxygen to the body’s cells.

Foods high in protein and iron include healthy fats, fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and lean proteins. These are all important during dieting because the vitamins and nutrients they contain will ensure the body doesn’t crash in the way it can when the diet is primarily processed and sugar-laden foods.

Eat often

When someone chooses to skip meals or go extended periods without feeding their body, the metabolism suffers. It’s necessary to consume the right number of calories throughout the day to keep the body functioning. What’s more, starving the body often leads to compensating by overeating.

Sleep sound

It is a common misconception that sleep prevents weight loss—if the body’s not moving, how can it burn calories?

A lack of adequate sleep can lead to a lack of energy during waking hours. At a time when someone should be active and burning calories, due to lack of sleep, they are lethargic and unable to burn as many calories as they could.

Most people need 7 – 9 hours of sleep a night, and a catnap can reenergize the system if burnout takes hold during the day. Limit the nap to 15 – 20 minutes. A deeper sleep may interrupt the nighttime sleep cycle, and that can become a difficult cycle to break.

Get going

Dieting and fasting are not always the root of low energy—lack of movement is also a likely cause. With more people sitting in front of steering wheels, computers, TVs, and video games, society, on the whole, is leading a much more sedentary lifestyle. To keep a diet on the right track, get up and get moving.

Being active requires a daily commitment. Take the dog for a walk or create a daily wake-up routine that increases the heart rate for at least five minutes and increase the time as strength and endurance increase. Even this short bit of activity will elevate energy levels.

Drink fluids

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.

Fatigue sets in when the body doesn’t have enough water. When exercising, drink small amounts of fluid during the workout and thoroughly rehydrate when done.

Many people mistake thirst for hunger, so before reaching for that snack, try first to satiate with water.

Play hard

Play is a great way to burn calories and tackle exercise goals for both mind and body. Take up a new sport or return to an old favorite. Invite the kids or grandkids to the park for a round of soccer or football. Find neighbors to join in for regular outings such as a morning walk or afternoon pickup game. The more enjoyable the experience, the more it will become a staple of one’s daily or weekly activities.

Bring it all together

Weight loss is never easy, and the older we get, the more difficult it becomes. Approaching weight loss as the simple denial of food is rarely successful. To reach weight-loss goals, consider the daily activities—or lack thereof—that contributed to the weight gain.

The connection between mind and body is immeasurable, but a positive attitude helps people reach all sorts of goals—not just weight loss. Doing things that have a positive impact on the state of mind is essential in the weight-loss journey. Make a conscious effort to stay positive and avoid criticizing yourself or others. Laugh, be happy, be healthy.