Tips for Getting Back on Track

If you’re at all like me, losing weight and keeping it off can be a challenge. Working in an office, whether at home or somewhere else, coronavirus, and sensible precautions mean that getting enough exercise is more complicated, and less attractive. I didn’t go crazy on Thursday, but I did eat my carrot cake with cream cheese/mascarpone icing. Every bite was delish, too. So here are a few tips I’ve culled from various sources including my own journals.

• Don’t try to do it all in one day. Start small. Even you can eat the elephant of weight loss one small bite at a time.
• Love yourself where you are. That doesn’t mean you can’t change, but you are OK right now, today.
• Guilt is not productive. Neither is shame.
• If you have a chronic health condition, talk with your doctor. You might be able to get a free or low-cost telemedicine appointment.
• Count calories, make a meal plan, write down what you eat, log your exercise. Any or all of these can help, and require some self-discipline to do.
• Drink more water.
• Clean out your refrigerator and pantry.
• Call in an expert. Does your health insurance cover a dietician? Use something like Noom or WW.
• If you don’t feel safe going to a gym or the Y, exercise at home using videos or programs from the internet. Better yet, try walking. It’s free.
• Take that first step now. Then take another. Eventually, you will see progress.