You are ready to shed those energy draining, body crippling, unattractive extra pounds and you are ready to make it permanent this time. You are on the right track because you've taken the most important step toward your goal. That step is the decision to take action and stay committed. The following five proven strategies will serve as essential elements in your quest to achieve your weight loss goal.
1) You must put yourself into the right mindset. Don't think of your new efforts at weight loss as trying to do certain things every day. See your self living a new lifestyle, a new lifestyle that naturally includes behavior conducive to positive changes in your health and fitness levels. You transition into this new lifestyle by makng adjustments to your daily habits until these habits are in alignment with the goals you are aiming for.
2) Find an exercise partner. It can be a friend, a co-worker, or a family member. Why is this important? An exercise partner is a tremendous source of support. A partner is crucial on those days when you really don't feel up to exercising. Unless you are sick, a good partner won't let you slack and likewise your partner will need you to pull them up when they are not up for the workout. You being needed is an indirect but important type of support. With an exercise partner comes the element of accountability, which subconsciously reinforces your commitment to your quest.
3) Have a baby or get a puppy. These two strategies work in the same manner. I write about this one from first/second hand experience. My wife, Jeri-Jo, gave birth to our daughter, Darah, nine months ago. Today, she weighs less than she weighed before she got pregnant. What is the mechanism here? Jeri-Jo claims, "With Darah to care for, my mind is focused on her and her needs. Don't get me wrong, I'm not at risk for malnutrition, but I don't eat out of boredom any more simply because there is always something to do. The day flies by and I don't have time to snack on foods that cause weight gain."
The puppy strategy is very similar to the baby strategy. If you are not playing with it, training it, feeding it, walking it or cleaning up after it you are too tired to overeat. And, before you know it your new puppy is done napping and ready for more activities. Like caring for a baby, your puppy requires a lot of attention and mental energy. This prevents many people from unnecessary snacking that prevents weight loss.
4) If you are not ready for a baby or a puppy then take a up a new hobby. A new hobby will get you out of the house, stimulate your mind and prevent you from eating out of boredom. If your hobby is a fitness related activity, such as mountain biking or hiking, then you are really going to make some progress.
5) Drink more water. I know, you've heard this one before. But, can you truthfully say you are doing it? Not many people can. Ponder this. You consist of about 73% water. Your body gives off water all day and all night. You must continuously replenish your water levels in order for your body to function at its highest levels. Many fitness professionals talk about the metabolism slowing down as a result of too little food intake. However, just as important, yet rarely mentioned is water intake and its effect on metabolism. Not getting enough water can cause water retention and a slowing of the metabolism. Both of these can prevent weight loss and cause weight gain.
One little known strategy for boosting water intake is to drink 8 - 12 ounces as soon as you wake up. This helps wake up your metabolism. Another way to boost your water intake is to drink 10 - 12 ounces when you start to feel hungry. Instead of immediately reaching for food, drink the water and see if that calms your hunger until you are ready for your next meal.
Each one of these strategies can help you lose weight. But, by utilizing all of them, you are creating a formula for success. A formula that can be the foundation of your new lifestyle.
Copyright 2005 Joe E. Atlas, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Joey Atlas, MS - Exercise Physiology, is considered one of the top personal trainers in the US. He is the author of the best selling audio CD "Controversial Secrets of a Personal Trainer", http://www.controversialsecrets.com. Joey is a co-owner of GAC Personal Training, http://www.controversialsecrets.com., where he continues to guide people toward a better quality of life through proper exercise programming and nutritional guidance.
False campaignsMore than 50 percent of Americans and Canadians are... Read More
The term 'thermogenic' refers to a group of drugs or... Read More
Although the big push for fad diets has died down... Read More
If you're like most people who tried losing weight on... Read More
Did you ever think about the fact that losing 2... Read More
Do You Sometimes Eat Because You're Afraid You'll "Miss Out"... Read More
Adverse Events with Volumetrics Dr. Barbara Rolls is a well... Read More
"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't... Read More
One of the worst things you can hear in life... Read More
Here are the 4 things you need to know about... Read More
When was the last time you focused so much on... Read More
Reading labels is an essential part of any weight loss... Read More
There are many factors responsible for abdominal fat like processed... Read More
"How do I lose 5 kg or 30 kg?""How do... Read More
I bet you already know all the health benefits for... Read More
Looking to avoid the dieting mistakes many of our weight... Read More
Debunking The Ab MythAb training has been done to death... Read More
Do you tend to find your weight increases when you... Read More
To achieve your goals you need a diet that takes... Read More
There have been endless numbers of fad diets over the... Read More
In a global television commercial just launched (10 June 2005),... Read More
Weight loss surgery is fast becoming a very popular way... Read More
College weight gain is at an all time high, and... Read More
Very few Americans are satisfied with their current weights. There... Read More
Cellulite is a condition for which cures are commonly sought.... Read More
1. Drink 8-10 glasses of water each dayOkay, for many... Read More
Are you tired of getting the same old advice when... Read More
There's one thing that most people forget about when it... Read More
You've seen diet pill advertisements? You have read the testimonials... Read More
It's definitely no fun to lose weight -- put it... Read More
Being overweight is no laughing matter. For those who are... Read More
Weight loss can be a difficult goal to achieve. Some... Read More
Which diet pill are you currently taking for your weight... Read More
A new survey has found that heel pain caused by... Read More
Visualization is a powerful technique that can help you make... Read More
The goal of many athletes and exercisers is to "get... Read More
Getting Started on The Clean DietIf you want to lose... Read More
1. Persistence!Violate this step and you'll never achieve permanent results.... Read More
In life, various factors contribute to weight gain. Be it... Read More
Considering the US Center for Disease Control's advice is a... Read More
Are you considering a low carb diet? If so you... Read More
Debunking The Ab MythAb training has been done to death... Read More
Most people are unsure about how to begin a fat... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
When obesity gets out of hand, unresponsive to dietary, lifestyle... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
Name a diet...any diet. It doesn't work. Try to name... Read More
These days, Jennifer Secrist has little interest in idle activities.... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
Success stories on the gastric bypass are everywhere, but how... Read More
Weight Loss |