5 Tools to Help Kick-Off a New Diet
Jumping straight into a weight loss diet without proper tools is like a skydiver jumping from an airplane without a parachute. No matter the number of pounds you lose, the journey ahead will be very challenging. Find gadgets like a free macro calculator or accountability tools that will add fuel to belly-fat fighting, such as:
Digital Body Weight Scale
Get yourself a scale first. It will show you where you began and your progress through the journey. Research has proven that people who weigh themselves often and track their results are more likely to lose weight than those who rarely check in. A scale can act as a priming mechanism to become food conscious, making you select consistent choices with your weight.
You can be tempted to jump on a scale daily to track progress. There is no need to weigh yourself more than once a week. Weigh yourself in the morning before having a meal or water to get the most accurate results. Also, be consistent when weighing yourself.
If you go to the scale when naked or go to the bathroom before weighing yourself, keep it that way. Track your weight loss progress. A smart scale can measure weight, muscle mass, and body fat. This will help you have a better overview of your health in general.
Insulated Water Bottle
Being hydrated will help you fill up and fend off the false feeling of hunger. It will also help to keep your metabolism humming and reduce bloating. Choosing water over sugary drinks, it will save you hundreds of calories.
An easy way to ensure you are getting enough water is by always having a water bottle. Better yet, insulated bottles will keep your drinks cool as you go about your daily activities.
A Macro Calculator
Bodyweight is used to figure out an individual’s calories and macros. It provides better results if you know your body fat percentage. It is possible to adjust to levels that are just right for you.
With macro counting, you can achieve weight loss without starvation, which is individualized according to your body composition. Instead of the percentage ratio, the protein ratio is based on your body weight. The free macro calculator has moderate, high, and maximum settings. This makes it very easy to count your macros.
Moderate usually adjusts the ratio to about 0.65grams per pound of body weight. It is suited for individuals with higher body fat percentages. High is for being active with an average body fat percentage. Maximum is best for bodybuilding and gaining muscles.
A person with a higher activity level on the free macro calculator will have a higher daily calorie goal. Macro counting can be a right fit for you because it prescribes the right foods and calorie levels.
Food Journal
A food journal is a log you use to keep track of all food intakes. Keep track of the food you intake in your body. It may help you realize where the unnecessary calories are and make it easier to figure out what you can cut out.
However, you do not have to count and record your food intake faithfully. Having to document that you ate fries or donuts will reduce the chances of eating it again soon. It is also a great way to hold yourself accountable for any “cheat days” or “cheat meals” you fell for along your way.
In your journal, record the emotions you feel when you eat certain types of food. Are you bloated after eating grains? Are you congested after eating ice cream? These can be signs that you have a food intolerance or an allergic reaction.
And to take your journaling to a whole other level, you can take your complied lists and notes to your nutritionist to get professional insight on your progress. Ask for tips and comments on your goals so that you can better focus your energy on the areas that need it most.
Tracking food intake provides consciousness and valuable data to tease out intake patterns over time. Especially if the food intake relates to particular emotional stress or times. Food journals are great, but only if they do not cause distress or harm to the user.
Yoga Mat
Despite the infamous perceptions, a yoga mat is not an exercising tool just for saying “Namaste” at sunrise. You can use it for ab-work or push-ups. Most importantly, use your yoga mat for breathing.
Stress is known to be a powerful trigger for weight gain. When stressed, the production of fat-storing hormone increases in your body, and it can wreck your calorie-burning metabolism.
Before You Go
Eat better and exercise smarter as you make your way into kicking off your new diet. Take advantage of these great resources, especially the free macro calculator, to set up your initial goals. Trust yourself and trust the process.
You got this!