How to ENJOY losing weight

Of all the ways out there that tell you how to lose weight, the system I discovered is not only effective, but fun! Most diet programs focus on extremes with restrictions and rules that have no basis in reality. Who do you know who has successfully lost weight and kept it off, year after year after year, with any popular diet? Even weight loss surgery is only truly successful if the person makes lifestyle changes. That sounds like a lot of work though, doesn't it? Well, it doesn't have to be, and here's how you can have fun changing your life and loving your body and yourself while you do it. For me, the keys to my success are SparkPeople.com (a 100% FREE online diet program), and Billy's Boot Camp workout DVDs. You'll find your own personal favorites, but the most important key is SparkPeople.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• A sense of adventure
• A willingness to make permanent, most-of-the-time lifestyle changes
• Persistence
• A forgiving attitude

1. Go to SparkPeople.com. This is a totally free, online diet and exercise program. They've got all the tools you need to change your eating, your health, your motivation, your life.
2. Sign up! There's no cost, there's no pressure, and there is plenty of guidance and, if you like, interaction with others. I set my profile to be private, because I do better that way, but if you want to meet people and join groups, that is there for you.
3. Drink water ~ some people say eight 8-ounce glasses, some say one ounce for every pound you now weigh, some say half that. I aim for 8 glasses a day (of pure water ~ I don't count the coffee or tea or juice....) Trust that your body WILL get used to drinking that much water and the increased number of trips to the restroom that follow. (But your skin will look so much better, just one benefit!)
   
   Did I mention you can track how much water you drink on SparkPeople?
4. Exercise. On SparkPeople, yes of course, you can track this as well. They offer exercise videos ~ FREE ~ for all levels of fitness. You can use their suggested workouts, or create your own from their library. Some days you'll do cardio, other days you'll do weight training. I chose to workout to Billy Blanks DVDs that I have recently bought. I LOVE these ~ they are fun, fast, and really, really work. I work out 3-4 times a week, and on SparkPeople, I track how many minutes I exercise.
5. If any particular exercise doesn't work for you, find another. Even the smallest change, done consistently over time, will produce results. I began this journey just walking two blocks to the library and back once a week. Then I was consistent in doing crunches and leg lifts twice a week. But I was bored and wanted ~ NEEDED ~ more fun. I'd heard great things about the Billy Blanks workouts so I rented one to try. It was love at first sweat, so I bought it and four others. Now I workout with Billy 3-4 times a week, and have seen tremendous changes in my overall fitness level, confidence, posture, and desire to make even more positive changes.
6. Keep at it. Track everything on SparkPeople.com and pay attention to what works and what doesn't.

Tips & Warnings

• DON'T BEAT YOURSELF UP when you make mistakes, choose to eat more than you need, or skip the workout. Those days will come, and they will go. I have found that when I forgive myself these lapses, I am able to immediately return to eating right and exercising.
• Some days you won't feel like you can do your workout. Do it anyway, even if it is highly modified to where you're just walking in place rather than doing jumping jacks. Keep moving, and the next time you'll most likely feel more energized and able to do more.
• CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR before starting any diet or exercise program.
• ALWAYS take care. If you're not used to eating right or exercising, you may hurt yourself if you jump in too fast. Make changes gradually, and listen: if it hurts, don't do it.