Morning Rituals

Don't underestimate the importance of morning rituals in losing weight. Sticking to a ritual will set your day on a healthy path.

There are a number of things that can help kick start your day:

Stretch

Start by stretching before you even roll out of bed. Just a few minutes of stretching a day can increase flexibility and decrease your chances of injuries.

Exercise

Get your workout in as early in the day as possible for maximum benefits. You will feel energized and strong the rest of the day without risking not being able to fit it into your schedule later on.

Drink Water

Water should be the first thing you put in your body every day. It is important to hydrate your body after a full night's sleep. It's also the best thing you can do to lose weight.

Drink Green Tea

Drink green tea to feel energized and boost your weight loss results. If you are a coffee lover, try gradually switching over to green tea in the morning.

Vitamins

A good multivitamin will also keep your energy high.

Plan Ahead

Have a plan for your food and exercise. Follow a written plan to eliminate the need to make choices in a hurry or in potentially vulnerable moments later in the day. Don't allow yourself to be tempted by less healthy options.

Think Positive

Adopt one or more positive statements that you can tell yourself each morning. Replace negative thought patterns with positives ones and tell yourself that you can do this and you will succeed.

Eat

Though it sounds simple enough, many people don't eat breakfast. Your body needs to be refueled after so many hours of going without food or drink. Eating breakfast is a powerful weight loss tool. If you prefer to save the calories, it's time to rethink your strategy. By eating when you wake up in the morning you will feel more satisfied and be less likely to binge later in the day.

Weigh In

Weigh in just once a week to stay accountable for your weight loss progress. Allow yourself a few pounds in either direction for water fluctuation but be alert to patterns or trends in the numbers. A simple plot graph of your weekly weigh-ins makes a good visual and can show if you are on a gaining or losing trend. Also be sure to track your progress using a tape measure.

Journal

Find a special place to write about your weight loss journey. Take a few moments each morning to clear your head, sort out your emotions and plan for a healthy day. Include visuals when possible to help track your progress.

Visualize

If you visualize success you will achieve your weight loss goals. Get a mental picture of yourself as a fit, healthy person. Put together a collage or post a picture for a visual clue of your goals.

Develop a ritual that works for you and your time schedule. It may mean getting up a little early before work or the rest of the family wakes up, but you are worth it. Start your day off right and you will set yourself up for success.

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