We’ve all been there. You start a new diet with motivation and optimism only to fall off the wagon in a few weeks. The weight inevitably creeps back on – often with a few bonus pounds to boot. It’s easy to get discouraged and feel like you’ll never reach your weight loss goals.
But what if I told you your diet is likely failing before it even starts? The key to sustainable weight loss isn’t your dietary approach itself, but what you do before and after the diet. Consider this your pre-diet blueprint for long-term success.
Why Pre-Diet Prep Matters
Have you heard stories about lottery winners going broke shortly after becoming millionaires? They simply didn’t learn positive financial habits before coming into large sums of money. The same concept applies to rapid weight loss. Without good systems and habits in place, the results won’t last.
Follow These 5 Steps Before Starting Your Next Diet
Ready to set yourself up for lasting results? Here are 5 must-do steps before embarking on your next weight loss journey:
1. Build Strength
Focus on progressive strength training 3 days per week. Lifting weights builds your metabolism and prevents age-related muscle loss. You’re not trying to become a bodybuilder, just be consistent with full body functional movements.
2. Reverse Diet
Slowly increase your calories over time until you reach a new maintenance level. This supports muscle building and resets your metabolism after prior restricting.
3. Prioritize Protein
Eat 0.7-1g of protein per pound of ideal body weight to signal muscle growth. Include high protein foods like eggs, Greekyogurt, fish, and lean meat.
4. Manage Stress
Chronic stress hurts weight loss through excess cortisol. Try mindfulness, meditation, magnesium, and restorative yoga to find balance.
5. Get More Sleep
Quality sleep regulates hunger hormones, reduces inflammation, and aids recovery. Optimize your sleep environment and habits.
Be Patient. The Results Will Come.
Implementing these steps could take a few months depending on your starting point. But you’re setting yourself up for rapid weight loss AND long-term sustainability.
The key is having the right habits and metabolism primed BEFORE embarking on a new diet. Skip this step and you’re essentially buying a lottery ticket hoping for quick results that won’t last. Put in the work first and you’ll be amazed by how effectively your next diet helps you reach your weight loss goals.
