We all know the key components of lasting weight loss are eating less (and better), and regular physical activity. But, talk to anyone who has managed to drop the pounds for good, and it will become clear many other factors were worked into their weight loss plan

There are so many other elements that affect our weight besides diet and exercise; we often need to do a bit of internal work to more easily make the decisions necessary to live a healthier life. Here are just a few other considerations for optimal results.

tips to bolster your weight loss

1. Realize Many Other Factors Affect Your Weight

As our weight woes continue to worsen, much more research has been done in this area to figure out what contributes to weight gain and how to most effectively slim down. There is so much going on inside our bodies, and our weight is affected by so many things besides exercise and diet. There are no magic bullets, but making a serious effort to address these other factors can bolster your success.

Did you know lack of sleep is highly linked to weight gain? It causes all sorts of changes in the body, such as increasing production of the chemical that increases appetite, and decreasing production of the one that helps us know when we are full. Not getting enough sleep appears to trigger cravings for sugar and processed carbohydrates, and cause the body to store more fat.

Insufficient levels of vitamin D have been linked to weight gain, and supplementing may enhance weight loss.

Genetics may make you more prone to a sluggish metabolism, and you may need to pay more attention to strategies that can boost it, such as using natural supplements. The Healthe Trim cites scientific evidence for the effectiveness of green tea and Garcinia cambogia in weight loss.

These are just a few of the non-food-and-diet factors that influence weight. When addressing these elements, you can get your body in an optimal state to shed those pounds.

2. Maintain Motivation with Bite-Sized Goals

Our tendency to want everything yesterday does not fare well when it comes to our attempt at losing weight. We usually try to make massive changes too fast, feel great for a few days and then crash and burn.

Motivation naturally wanes sometimes, so we need to find ways to keep a steady supply of it. Progress is one of the best motivators out there, and by setting smaller goals related to your weight loss, you will be able to stay on track faster.

Instead of focusing on losing 75 pounds, concentrate your efforts at dropping enough weight to get back into last summer’s clothes that no longer fit. Instead of trying to redo your diet overnight, commit to eating fruit for dessert at last 4 nights this week.

Make sure the goals are far enough outside your comfort zone that you feel accomplished, because that sense of accomplishment is what will propel you forward.

3. Know Mental Health is Integral to Physical Health

Getting your mind right is an important part of getting your weight ‘right.’ Your state of mind is crucial for weight loss success. The first thing you need to tackle is high stress levels. Not only does stress produce all sorts of reactions in the body that may sabotage your weight loss efforts, it puts you in a negative state of mind.

When we feel stressed, we often don’t make the best decisions when it comes to our health because we are so focused on immediate relief. So, you binge eat a box of donuts, or say screw the gym, and veg out in front of the computer for hours to take your mind off your troubles.

But, when we manage stress successfully, our mind is clearer and our perspective is better—we want to be healthy, we want to feel good, and it is easier to make the decisions that accomplish this goal.

If you follow these three tips, you will have a much easier time winning the weight loss battle.

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