8 ways to prepare yourself for starting the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge

It’s an overwhelming process when you make any type of lifestyle change, especially when you are a busy mom.

This is why we created the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge for moms, just like you, who want to lose weight.

And the good news is, you don’t have to give yourself more work – like cooking two meals, one for yourself and the other for your family. In fact, your healthy lifestyle changes may actually help benefit your partner and kids.

So, how do you make the change? Here are eight useful ways you can start off on the right foot.

The Healthy Mommy’s 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge was built by moms with moms in mind, so it’s so adaptable. Read on to learn some secrets of the masters – those who have lost weight and, more importantly, kept it off.

8 ways to help yourself achieve weight loss success

1. Follow a healthy eating plan

You don’t have to ditch all the bad stuff and just eat salad. You can eat all the things you ate before but tweaked to be slightly healthier (hello Easy Chicken Nachos!). Gradually, you can then try to make more and more healthier options.

We do all the planning, so you don’t have to. The 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge has hundreds of healthy, family-friendly recipes and meal plans all designed and provided for moms with families just like yours.

You can also browse our collection of recipes by category or meal type, or see our most recently added recipes. And you can filter by gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian and more to suit all diets and allergies. Read more about customizing here.

2. Make sure you meal prep

Here at The Healthy Mommy, we very much believe that eating healthy, weight loss and meal prep go hand in hand.

This is why we have our very own Meal Prep Queens Kaitie and Sascha – who often offer tips and advice to our Healthy Mommy Community on the best way to manage your meal prep.

The reason we are advocates of meal prep is that very often when we’re hungry and our blood sugar levels are low and we reach for the easiest and most convenient food. More often than not, this is a food high in sugar to get those blood sugar levels back on track and to beat the hunger pains.

However, there are many practical things you can do that will make it easy to reach for a more nutritious hunger buster. One of them is meal prepping.

With meal prepping, you can get healthy meals on the table with speed without blowing the budget and without spending hours in the kitchen every night.

We teach you how to meal prep so you can have go-to meals and snacks that are quick and nutritious (and ideal for weight loss!).

3. Make use of The Healthy Mommy app

Our 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge app gives you access to your very own pocket nutritionist, meal planner, and chef.

With this app, you will have access to hundreds of easy to prepare, family and budget-friendly recipes that can be added to a weekly or daily meal plan, to suit your needs.

It also includes a shopping list feature that allows you to add all the ingredients you need for your week of meals on the 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge to a convenient list you can check off as you shop.

The App is ideal for busy people as it eliminates the stress of “what’s for dinner”. It is a very useful and important tool for those people who want to feed themselves and their families delicious and healthy meals.

4. Know your BMR and BMI

There are two great measurements that could be utilized when losing weight. These are your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate) and your BMI (Basal Mass Index).

Here at The Healthy Mommy, we define BMR as a measurement of the number of calories that your body burns at rest. Usually, it is measured in the morning before you eat or exercise and after a full night of restful sleep.

This is the best way to work out how many calories you need to eat in order to lose weight and that is why we make it very easy to figure out by giving you an online calculator to work it out.

Your BMI is a calculation of your normal weight range. You can calculate this on the app so that you have an understanding of what your normal and healthy weight should be.

These are both numbers you should always keep in mind when trying to lose weight.

5. Take and record your measurements

When it comes to weight loss, taking your body measurements is very simple but is of significant importance. This is because the scales don’t always tell you the truth.

It is also important to take your measurements correctly and this short video will share the ins and outs of taking body measurements.

Read Nic’s story (pictured above) here. Nic says the Healthy Mommy saved her life and her marriage.

6.  Do and record your fitness test

Losing weight and getting healthy isn’t just about the number on the scales or what you see in the mirror it is also about getting fitter. This is why we include a fitness test at the start, halfway through and at the end of each 28 Day Weight Loss Challenge.

This Fitness Test is designed to help you track your progress throughout the month. It allows you to record changes in your upper body, lower body, and core strength over the 28 days.

7. Get moving!

Getting into an exercise routine may be difficult for some, especially if you are a busy mom. But exercise, losing weight and calorie control go hand in hand.

At The Healthy Mommy, we understand the importance of doing exercise when it is convenient for you. That is why we have devised our exercise programs to fit around you and your lifestyles.

Our at-home workouts, especially HITT workouts (otherwise known as high-intensity interval training workout), are awesome options for very busy moms. They are fast and effective and can be completed in less than 30 minutes, making them ideal for slotting in around the kids.

Of course, there are also many incidental exercises (like climbing stairs instead of taking the lift, or doing squats while you hang out the washing) you can sneak in while you carry on with your normal day.

8. Stay hydrated

Drinking water is EXTREMELY beneficial for weight loss. Also, hydration is key to many factors that play a role in weight loss, including digestion and muscle function.

If you are not sure if you are getting enough water or how much you should be drinking, read these eight signs you should look out for.

One simple way to increase your water intake is to always carry a water bottle around with you.

If you aren’t a fan of drinking plain water or struggle to get that water intake, try infusing your water with fruit like berries, or adding some fresh mint leaves and chopped cucumber.

Are you ready to become a Healthy Mommy?