‘I failed to lose weight for 10 years - but I finally shed 2st 12lb after following six cheat codes’
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Setting realistic weight loss goals will boost feelings of achievement and prevent derailment
Weight loss can feel like an insurmountable challenge because it's no easy feat breaking old habits.
For Chelsea Mae, this proved the main hurdle in her perpetual attempts to lose weight, but everything changed once she discovered cheat codes.
“I tried to lose weight for about 10 years, in that time I really felt like a failure because I couldn’t figure out why year after year I was nowhere closer [to my goals]," she told her YouTube followers.
“As long as you continue to take steps and as long as you continue to move forward, you will at some point hit that goal.
Chelsea credits six cheat codes for helping her shed 40 lbs
YOUTUBE / CHELSEA MAE
Making small steps to change how you eat, drink and exercise is one of the most critical stages in weight loss, according to Chelsea.
The best way to ensure your weight loss goals materialise is by taking small actions towards your desired destination.
Habit stacking is a technique that involves combining new habits with existing ones to make them easier to stick with.
“Instead of having a step goal that I wasn’t hitting, now I just add a fifteen-minute walking goal to the start of my workout,” said Chelsea.
“My step goal is pretty easy to achieve now because I’ve stacked it to an existing habit.”
According to Chelsea, using commitment devices like behavioural contracts as part of weight loss interventions can improve outcomes.
This involves creating consequences for failing to achieve goals. When Chelsea fails to create a YouTube video, for example, she has to donate 100 dollars to a charity she doesn’t like.
“I use commitment devices where I set up some kind of pain if I don’t do the actions that are required to succeed,” she explained.
Instead of skipping the gym because you’re feeling too tired to complete an hour-long workout, you should still go to the gym, even if only for 15 minutes.
This hack involves acting like the person you want to become would. Slowly, you will form new habits.
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Chelsea adds potatoes to every meal to keep her satiated
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Potatoes are naturally low in calories but are high in fibre and water, which help the body stay fuller for longer.
“Eat a whole lot more potatoes, especially sweet potatoes, they are the most satiating food on the planet, so when you eat them you feel full and satisfied," said Chelsea.
“You’re going to be thinking about food as much, you’re not going to binge as much. They’re going to be low in calories and they’re going to help you lose weight.
“I’ll add them to all the meals that I’m making because I know it’s going to help me to feel more full."