There’s no denying that starting your weight loss journey can feel overwhelming and confusing. But according to weight loss coach Amber Clemens (@amber_c_fitness on TikTok), it doesn’t have to be. In fact, Clemens, who lost 160 pounds through consistent diet and exercise, says the true key is to start small and keep it simple.
“This is for all my weight loss newbies out there,” she says in a recent TikTok video. “Do not make this more complicated than it needs to be.” Clemens goes on to say that when she began her own journey, she started without a personal trainer, a meal plan, or even much knowledge about nutrition—and that was all okay! As she says, “If I just tried to go from zero to 100 right away, I never would have lost 160 pounds.” Here are four of her go-to beginner tips anyone can use to start losing weight today.
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1. Get those steps in
"If you’re not getting more than a couple thousand steps per day right now, you don’t need to be worrying about what your best gym split is," Clemens begins. Instead of diving straight into an intense routine, she recommends adding more intentional movement into your day—starting with walks.
"My only form of movement was walking because my lifestyle was very, very sedentary," she explains. "Just me adding in intentional walking made a huge difference." You can start by aiming to take short walks throughout the day—even 10 to 15 minutes at a time adds up. Walking after meals, in particular, is a great idea.
2. Eat smaller portions
Eating healthy is half the battle—but it doesn't have to be complicated. If the thought of tracking calories and calculating macros every day is overwhelming, you can simply ease yourself into making nutrition a priority. Clemens recommends focusing on portion sizes in the beginning.
"I didn’t have a clue where to start when it came to calorie tracking, so all I did was eat smaller portions," she says. You don’t need to overhaul your entire diet—just pay attention to how much you’re eating and reduce it slightly. Small changes like this are ultimately what leads to sustainable weight loss.
3. Hydrate—but don’t obsess
Hydration is undeniably crucial—but if you haven't previously made it a major priority, Clemens says you shouldn't feel pressured to suddenly drink more water than you ever have. Trying to be perfect right out of the gate can actually backfire.
As she puts it, "If water hasn’t touched your lips in ten days, you don’t need to be worrying about drinking a gallon per day." Instead, focus on improving gradually. A glass or two more than usual? That’s a win in our eyes!
4. Meet yourself where you’re at
All in all, Clemens sums her tips up into one succinct piece of advice. "You need to meet yourself where you're at, okay?" she says, advocating overall to give yourself grace—and start right where you are.
"You will learn as you go on this journey," she encourages. "But don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be right at the beginning. Small, simple changes that you can do day in and day out will make a huge difference."
That's advice we can get behind!
