How to Lose Weight

I mark this as moderately easy, not because it is hard to do, but being disciplined is. Here are some tips to help you with your weight loss.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Discipline

1. Focus in on being healthy not losing weight. Too many times people are so worried about losing 5 pounds doing this or 10 pounds doing that. Your first step should be to focus on being healthy not weigh less. When you are able to make yourself aware that you are working towards being healthier, the weight loss will follow.

2. Create a journal of your activities and meals. Each day write down what physical activity you have performed as well as which meals you ate and at what times. In this same journal write down your weight at the beginning of each week. This will allow you to monitor which weeks you did better and give you a better understanding as to why. Remember this is your journal so not writing down that donut you ate only hurts you not someone else.

3. You are what you eat. You can exercise until you drop from exhaustion however if you do not give your body the right foods it needs to grow and repair you will never lose weight or become healthy. Eat smaller portioned meals 6 times per day or about every two and half to 3 hours. Don't worry about weighing your food, a portion size is the same size as your clenched fist. Each meal should consist of protein, carbs and veggies with each group being of equal portion size. If you feel hungry add more green veggies.

4. Work with weights 3 days per week. Monday, Wednesday and Friday are the norm, however you can adjust to whichever days work best for you. Thirty minutes is all you will need. Work one exercise for each muscle group (chest, triceps, back, biceps, legs, shoulders and abs).

5. Perform cardiovascular activity at no less than 3 days per week and no more than 5. I do this 4 times per week on days I am not working with weights. I simply take a good paced walk in my neighborhood to get the heart rate up there. You can run, jog, bike or whatever you choose. I try to do 20 to 30 minutes.

6. Get support. Doing all of these steps with someone else will increase your chances of success. Locate clubs in your area with people that are also looking to lose weight. You can work out with a neighbor, relative or friend. Being healthier is not easy and you shouldn't do it alone. If you can afford a personal trainer then go ahead and hire one, however it is not necessary as there are always others out there that have the same ambition as you.

[cheryldawn]

on 7/30/2008 Good tips. You're right about discipline, it's not easy!