6 Exceptional Tips to Lose Weight And Live Healthy

Living healthy doesn’t have to be all work and no play. If you’ve found yourself gaining weight recently, it may seem like getting in shape is an impossible goal. Stringent diets, laborious workouts and a strict no-indulgence policy do more harm than good in the long term.

You can start by incorporating small, manageable and empowering lifestyle choices into your daily routine. Simple changes like walking up the stairs, rather than taking the lift or cutting out sweets in the evening, can make a big impact on your fitness, energy and overall mood, while also preventing ailments like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes.

While making lifestyle decisions for the benefit of your long-term health, you should also consider investing in a comprehensive health insurance policy that protects you from any ailments, preventable or otherwise, that you may experience in the future. With Bajaj Finserv, it is easier than ever to buy health insurance online for you and for your family, so you can gain extensive health insurance cover of up to Rs.50 lakh for medical bills, doctor’s consultations, treatment charges and more, with minimal documents required for making a health insurance claim. With Bajaj Finserv’s Health Insurance Policy, it is easier than ever to stay healthy.

Physical, mental and financial wellbeing are the key to long-term healthy living. In that vein, here are some tips on how to lose weight, keep it off, and live healthy.

Meet your minimum goal everyday 

Doctors have suggested that the key to getting enough activity in your day is as simple as hitting a daily goal of steps walked. The figure may vary from person to person, but a ballpark estimate is that walking 10,000 steps a day helps you lose weight, and 7,000 helps you keep the weight off. You could hit this target either by taking a brisk morning or evening walk, or simply staying active throughout your day. Take the stairs instead of the lift, walk to the bus stop or train station instead of taking a two-minute auto ride. To help keep you on track of your step goals, you could invest in a pedometer, a smart watch or fitness wearable, or simply use the health app on your smartphone.

Join a workout class 

Working out with a group of friends can be a lot more fun and motivational than working out alone. Not only do you have a community that keeps you accountable and calls you out for skipping a day, but you also have the opportunity to widen your social circle and make new and like-minded friends. Weight-loss journeys can be strenuous, time-consuming and in many ways, life-altering, so it’s nice to have a support. From yoga and Pilates to Zumba and dance, there is a class that perfectly aligns with your interests and fitness goals.

Limit your intake of sweets and alcohol 

Weight loss is near impossible without a change in your eating habits, but that doesn’t necessarily mean counting calories, weighing out portions and eating nothing but raw, fibrous vegetables for all three meals. Sometimes, a simple change like cutting down on alcohol to one drink, once a week, rather than a few drinks every few days, or cutting out sweets after 5pm can make a big difference to your waistline. Other changes you could incorporate that don’t involve dieting are chewing slowly, not eating meals in front of the TV, and eating at the same time every day. 

Talk to a nutritionist to set realistic goals 

Sometimes you may find that no matter how strictly you try to manage your diet, you’re unable to lose weight. You might even find yourself gaining a few kilos despite cutting out carbs and doubling down on protein and fibre. In these cases, it is best to get an expert opinion. Make an appointment with a professional nutritionist who will be able to guide you towards specific, scientifically-sound weight loss goals. Your nutritionist will be able to assess your unique body type, and consider your lifestyle and likes and dislikes, to create a programme that is easy to implement and therefore, manageable in the long-term.

Reward yourself when you hit a milestone 

While ‘cheat day’ is a negative term that doesn’t do your long term wellbeing any good, you should definitely make sure to give yourself a reward at the end of every milestone. Dropping a dress size, five kilos on the scale, being able to finally do a push up or running a 5k are all incredible achievements that you should be patting yourself on the back for. Take the time to be kind to yourself when you do and go out with friends, buy an outfit you’ve always had your eye on but could never fit into, go out of town for a weekend, or maybe even take the opportunity to dig into a sumptuous dessert for a change!

Stay positive, even on the tough days 

Your mental wellbeing is as important as your physical one. Remember always that the end goal is not to be thin, but to be fit, and sometimes pushing yourself to do more than you can handle can actually have adverse consequences. Don’t force yourself to work out when you’re already stressed out. Consider meditating instead or doing something relaxing like swimming, and certainly don’t work out at the expense of sleep. The important thing is to make sure you enjoy the experience of getting fit, however that may work for you. Positivity is the key to a healthy body and mind.

However long you’ve been on your weight loss journey, you can rest assured that there is a whole lot of support, motivation, and inspiration to be found on the way. Staying healthy is the best gift you can give yourself, and it’s never too late to start looking out for your body and your mind. Get started on your journey by checking your pre-approved offer from Bajaj Finserv to find an insurance plan for yourself and your family that eases your mental and financial stress.