It’s so cliche that everyone suddenly wants to go on a diet at the beginning of the year. The “new year, new me” gist is getting old. Some people have already postponed their diet till today even though the year started on Friday rather than starting immediately. How do you think that will turn out?

There’s always a new fad, trend, and craze in pop culture that promises you a quick fix. Don’t be deceived, I hate to break it to you but you’re not suddenly going to become Naomi Campbell overnight. The crash course is bound to fail and leave you in a worse place; hungry and unsatisfied. I’m here to wake you up with the truth and save you from disappointment.

It’s an unpopular opinion but believe me, when I say, don’t go on a diet. If you really want to lose weight, there are lifestyle changes that will get you there. These changes are something you’ll need to ease into in order to change existing habits and easily commit to. Here are the three golden principles to achieving your weight loss goals.

Make the right choices
Choose nutrition over satisfaction and pay attention to how you cook your food. Ease into it by reducing the number of carbs consumed. Eat more protein-based foods such as beans, fish, lean meat, chicken breast, eggs, peanuts and Greek yoghurt. Reduce the amount of salt and oil used to cook, especially for soups and stews. Roast, boil, bake, or grill rather than fry. And if you have to fry it, shallow frying in a minimum amount of low-fat oil is always best. If you’re craving something sweet, try fruits, a frozen smoothie or gelato which has fewer calories than ice cream. Most importantly, control your portions, eat more fruit and vegetables, and reduce your intake of processed foods.

Don’t eat late
This rule has more to do with how you regulate your meals during the day. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and should not be skipped. Starving yourself during the day will not end well either. With the hustle and bustle of life in Lagos, it can be hard to not end up eating late. However, making a conscious effort will get you closer to your weight loss goals. The reason why you shouldn’t eat late is because your metabolism slows down when you’re tired and most especially when you are asleep. Avoid the unhealthy habit of eating dinner or snacking just before bedtime. You don’t need those extra calories.

Exercise
Exercise opens your mind and has been said to be therapeutic. Work out at least twice a week to strengthen your body with weight training. Focus on developing your muscles. Muscle tissue burns more calories and revs up your metabolism. If you’re not a fan of the gym or the bills. or don’t have the time, cardio is the next best thing. Running, walking, swimming, dancing, skipping or jogging is very beneficial for weight loss.

I hope these three simple rules will help you on your journey. Most importantly, don’t give up on yourself. Consistency is the key to achieving long-lasting results. Take it one step at a time.