So you finally decided that you want to shed that extra weight, get snapped fit into that dress, and slay. Yessssss!! No matter what time of the year, age, or even gender, there’s always a reason to shed a few extra pounds or just decide to change your whole lifestyle and do an overhaul. But before you get started here are 10 things you need to know about weight loss and your body before you hit the gym, road, or a new diet plan.

Armed with these tips you’ll be able to reach your weight loss goals in no time.

1. Focus on body fat

Your body weight is more than just fat. It includes your muscle mass and water weight. Stop trying to weigh 20kg and focus on shedding the excess fat. That will do you a lot of good.

2. Calorie deficit

To lose weight you need to be in a calorie deficit. That is, consuming fewer calories than your body can burn in a day. Yes, it’s not just about spending three hours a day in the gym, if you don’t consume fewer calories than you burn in a day forget it you’re not getting any results. An average person burns around 1800 to 2000 calories a day with minimal activities. So to put a significant dent in your weight loss, remove at least 500 calories from your daily intake.

3. Exercise 

As much as we try to avoid it we all know that exercise plays a very important role in weight loss. It’ll help you increase the number of calories you burn in a day. Apart from weight loss, it plays a role in keeping your body healthy and fit. If you include it in your plan it will help you achieve your calorie deficit.

 4. Sleep

Yes, you read that right. Quality sleep is very important for weight loss just as it is for relieving stress and your mental health. It gives your body time to heal after all the exercise and activities you engage in.

5.  Discipline rather than motivation

Motivation is very good and important to get you started but at some point, you’re going to lack the motivation to keep pushing. This is why you need discipline. Make living healthy a lifestyle. Be consistent with it show up for yourself every day. Make it something that is part of you. That is how you’ll achieve that long-term result. Stick to it. The consistency they say is key.

6.  Eat healthily

Eating healthy is probably the first thing you should do. Cut out junk foods that make you accumulate unnecessary calories and eat healthy foods instead. Eat more whole food than processed food and more protein and fiber than carbs.

7.  Drink more water

Instead of taking alcohol, juice, or that fizzy drink(soda) why not drink water? That way you can cut down on calories and at the same time help your body run smoothly. If you think it’s boring and tiring to drink just water why not add things like lemon, ginger, cucumber, lime or mint leaves to spice it up and make it more enjoyable?

8. There are no shortcuts

Let’s face it, everybody is trying to sell you something these days, so they tell you all sorts of things just to get you to buy their products. Most of these products don’t work rather they damage your organs and complicate issues. There is no miracle remedy for weight loss. It’s either the long way or no way. You should probably stop drinking things that will harm your body.

9.  Check your hormone

If you’re a woman you should probably check your hormones, especially estrogen and thyroid levels. Talk to your doctor and get yourself checked before getting started.

10.  Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar isn’t going to make you lose all those fat but it’ll help in reducing sugar levels, reduce cholesterol thereby aiding weight loss.