With thousands of diet methods plastered all over the internet, it can be hard to unravel the truth and what really works in a safe and efficient way. A lot of them are promising fast and incredible results in a matter of days or weeks, but at what cost? Here at NXT Level, we believe that weight loss is a journey that requires patience and dedication, so that your results can be healthy, sustainable and last over time. Here are our 4 main principles for a no-nonsense weight loss strategy.

DETERMINE WHAT CALORIE DEFICIT WORKS FOR YOU

In order to achieve a successful and sustainable weight loss, it is essential that your daily caloric intake matches your needs. Use our calorie calculator to find out how many calories you need per day to lose weight. This is what we call a calorie deficit: when you consume fewer calories than your body needs to maintain weight, you lose weight! We advise that your calorie deficit should not exceed 20%, to make it easier for you to stay on track and to avoid any potential complications along the way. 

ADOPT A VARIED AND BALANCED DIET

Who said your weight loss diet should be boring? Not us! Your diet should provide your body with all the macronutrients (protein, fats and carbs) it needs. We don’t recommend mono-ingredient diets, which are unbalanced by definition. Instead, try to include a variety of food sources in your diet: think whole grains, lean meats, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats. Choose high quality protein sources, which will help you feel more satiated throughout the day. And if you need inspiration, check out our Weight Loss bundle designed to accompany you during your journey: along with a guide to give you tips on weight loss and a 7-day meal plan that you can adjust to your specific needs, the bundle includes our Whey Protein 80 to support muscle maintenance and Burner Caps to stack all the odds in your favor during your journey. 

BE PATIENT AND CONSISTENT WITH YOUR EFFORTS

You can’t achieve your dream results overnight! Sticking to your new diet and weight loss plan can be challenging at first, but it’s worth it. Take it step by step and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it. It’s a good idea to track your progress, but don’t get too worked up if you don’t meet your goals as quickly as you had hoped to. It takes time! Here are a few tips to help you stay focused during your weight loss journey:

• Take filling snacks with you when you’re out and about. That way, you won’t feel frustrated and tempted to go off track. Choose snacks that are high in protein such as our Body Toner bar, that is low in sugar and contains 11g of protein per bar.
• Don’t forget to stay hydrated! We sometimes confuse thirst for hunger. It is recommended that adults drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres per day, so keep your refillable bottle on hand and sip at it!
• Keep room for pleasure meals and treats. Weight loss isn’t about starving yourself or feeling miserable and frustrated. The key is balance and moderation! If you want your weight loss journey to be sustainable, allow yourself a little pleasure meal from time to time.
• When it comes to weight loss, nutrition works hand in hand with daily physical activity. You’ve heard it before: abs are made in the kitchen! Regular workouts and increased physical activity will help you burn fat and tone your body over time. With this idea in mind, we have designed our NXT Shape bundle to help you achieve a toned and lean silhouette: a combination of meal plan and workout plan that provide you with nutrition and fitness advice, to help you reach your goals and set you up for success.

DON’T FALL FOR QUICK FIXES AND FAD DIETS

We’ve all seen them before, these diets that promise incredible results in no time, with phenomenal before and after pictures. And we’ve all heard the weird rules they sometimes come with: drink lemon juice first thing in the morning, add this magical ingredient to your daily meals, set up a ritual on a full moon night… Wait, what?!

Fad diets are everywhere, and so are magical promises of “detoxing” your body (spoiler alert: your body detoxifies itself every day, no matter what you do), secret ingredients that would supposedly help you lose x amount of weight in the span of 2 days, etc., etc. Truth is, none of these alleged weight loss techniques are sustainable over time. There is no quick fix for weight loss! What might happen if you tried to follow these “diets” is that you would start by losing some weight, but then would gain it all back after the program is over. Not only that, these diets that promote unbalanced eating might have adverse effects on your well-being in the long term. So steer clear from any diet that seems too good to be true, and give your weight loss journey time. Good things come to those who stay consistent and focused!

TO SUM IT UP…

Weight loss journeys are complex and can feel frustrating at times. However, you will see results if you follow a balanced and varied diet, and a suitable workout and physical activity plan. Don’t try to rush things, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you are progressing slower than you would have hoped for: at least you are progressing! Keep going, and you’ll make it. Good luck!