How to Lose Weight

How to lose weight, for real this time. My article is a straightforward easy way to actually lose weight.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Stop wasting money and buying into every fad diet and infomercial. It's time to get real.

2. Everyone is different, there is no one size fits all approach to weight loss. Write down your weight loss goals and determine if they are realistic. Problem solve, it's time to take a look at your lifestyle and break down your weight issues into smaller, easier to solve problems.

3. Hate diet food? Doesn't everyone! Take some time to really think about what health foods you actually like to eat. For me it was carrots and dip (yes the fattening kind!), blue corn tortilla chips and hummus, and also tortilla chips with salsa. Figure out what your favorite fruits and veggies actually are. I don't know about you, but I can't stand these weight loss recipes that call for foods nobody likes! Start stocking up on your favorite healthy snacks.

4. What is your schedule? Figure out what works best for you and follow your gut instincts. Not everyone can run off to Jenny Craig, join Weight Watchers, or spend a million dollars on gym equipment. The point is, figure out how much time and energy you can actually put into preparing your healthy meals, and of course exercise...

5. Yes exercize. If it sounds too good to be true, it is! To lose weight you must burn more calories than you eat. Don't set yourself up for failure, wasting money on that pilates class you went to once isn't good for you. Use common sense. If you want to lose weight, bend over and pick something up. Clean your house, do some yard work. Take the kids to the park and actually play with them instead of sitting on the bench sipping your latté! Find unconventional ways to get moving that fit within your lifestyle and work schedule.

6. Don't get disappointed. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat, and at first, you will be building some muscle. It took a long time to put on the weight, it takes even longer to lose it. Don't look for the next miracle drug or fad diet. You all ready have all the tools necessary to lose the weight!

Tips & Warnings

• Who cares what others are doing to lose weight. Find out what works for you! Everyday for lunch I would eat a huge bowl of salsa and chips. I lost 50lbs in 5 months. I also have an issue with portion size. I tried to diet and watch how much I ate... It just didn't work for me. I find that giving myself large portions of healthy foods like spinach, salad, etc., I was able to start losing weight without starving.
• Always check with your doctor if you need help losing weight. I am not a fitness trainer, just a regular person like you. I am not skinny and I did not lose 100lbs. I have lost 50lbs, am happy, and feeling healthier than ever. Best of luck to you!