Often times we think of diet and fitness as the key to weight loss (which makes sense), but there’s also a lot of less-than-obvious things you can do, that will make *all* the difference.
I’ve summarized some of my top tips for weight loss that have nothing to do with what you’re eating and EVERYTHING to do with keeping organized!
Organizing your pantry
First of all, having a clean pantry makes it SO much more appealing to cook & eat at home. Would you rather open your cabinets and see half eaten bags of chips and random, unorganized dried spices and herbs in various places (not super zen), or would you rather open up to neatly labeled ingredients and organized Tupperware with bright, beautiful fruit and veggies? For me personally, when I see food presented in a cute or aesthetic way, it looks way more appealing to eat (I’ve literally bought snacks based on their aesthetic appeal).
When you can keep all of your pantry organized (with mostly healthy ingredients), you’ll be able to grab healthy snacks on-the-go and get all your ingredients together to quickly whip up a snack or meal.
I know first hand that whenever I have a messy kitchen, I don’t want to step foot inside. I end up ordering out which–let’s be real–is not ideal for our health or wallets.
Cleaning out your closet
I LOVE a good outfit (who doesn’t), but it goes beyond the fashion aspect. When you feel good in what you’re wearing, you feel good about yourself, and in line with that: you’ll be more inclined to make better decisions as a result. For example, when I’m having a super chill day dressed in sweatpants and a messy bun, I might be cozy but I’m more likely to crave comfort food and be lazy that day. When I feel cute and put together, I’m more motivated to eat in a way that aligns with how I feel (A.K.A. foods that are healthy and energizing to match my vibe)! This is also why it’s super important to have workout clothes you love. It might sound vain, but it really goes beyond looks. If you wear clothes that make you feel bad (A.K.A. bad about your body/appearance), you might make decisions that align with that feeling. For example, often when we wear something that makes us feel “blah” suddenly it becomes super enticing to finish an entire carton of ice cream *sigh*
One thing I find super interesting is the relationship between women and their closets. Studies show that a woman’s closet is very emotionally charged and that we often keep things that don’t fit simply because of an emotional attachment. If you’re looking to get organized, consider digging deep to really understand the reason WHY it might be so hard to let go. There might be an underlying issue that needs to be addressed first.
So, a little summary: organize your workout clothes and keep only the ones you love! Make it easy to get dressed and feel good in what you’re wearing, so you WANT to move your body!
Finding a proper place for things
This one is essential for me! I’ll give you an example: I keep my foam roller next to my bed because when it’s in a clean space where I can see it every day, I’m more likely to use it! (yes, it’s that simple). Even in college, I used to literally clean my room (my tiny little dorm room) before I studied because it made me feel less anxious and more focused. It works the same way with exercise. Tidy up and you’ll feel way more put together, it brings out your inner boss ;)
Organizing your schedule for healthy activities
Plan ahead! On Sunday, start to think about the week ahead. Plan some workouts, figure out which days you want to work out, and add them to your calendar. Honor this commitment to yourself. Then all that’s left to do is execute when the time comes. By filling up your schedule with activities (and physically adding those things to your calendar) you will be held accountable to do them, and it’s a major confidence booster to not only have an organized plan but STICK to it!
Also, remember to have a little fun with it :) You could turn any hangout into a workout. Here’s some examples: bring a friend on a hike, walk your dog with a friend, do a workout with your significant other or try a new class with your roommate. The list is pretty much endless :)
Hope you found these helpful!
