Weight Loss Articles

Have you ever had that weight loss "moment"? You know the one I mean. That "moment" where you realize that if you keep doing what you're doing, your weight is going to continue ballooning to the point of no return? That moment where you say, "Enough is enough!" That moment where you realize you need to make changes now. Not tomorrow, not 'starting on Monday,' but N-O-W.

Maybe it was when you couldn't breathe while bending over to tie your shoe, maybe it was a number on a scale that you thought you'd never see. Whatever the moment, it's there and it's real. Here's an easy 8 step plan to help you use that moment as a starting point to break out of that weight loss rut that you're in.

Step 1 - Know Thyself

You can't get somewhere unless you know where you are right now! Get your weight loss starting point by visiting your doctor for a complete analysis of your health. If you have any health problems, get those taken care of right away. Know what your official weight is, what your blood pressure is, and anything else that will draw that line in the sand for you, that will tell you, "From this point on, things will change."

Step 2 - Change Your Attitude

Changing your attitude to can go a long way to permanent weight loss. There are no quick fixes when it comes to weight loss! Commitment and hard work are what's needed. This is big step for most people. Weight loss is not about fitting into a bikini or wanting to look good for someone else. It's about things like strength, health, vitality, and energy. You have to want to change your bad habits. If you don?t change your attitude, you're going to end up right back where you are, no matter how much weight you lose.

Step 3 - Know How Much You're Eating

To help your weight loss, you need to know how much you eat right now. Guessing just doesn't work. People often underestimate the amount of calories they eat. Tracking calories can be a real eye-opener! There are several online fitness trackers that will help you to track calories, or do it the old-fashioned way, with a pen and paper. Spend time reading labels, looking up the calorie content of foods online, and measuring what you eat. You don't have to do it forever! But do it at least for one week to get an idea of how many calories you eat in a typical day.

Step 4 - Start Exercising

Exercise will speed up weight loss and get your muscles growing. Even if you only last 5 minutes, do it! Start off small and work your way up. Walk, dance around the house with the kids. Whatever it is, just move! (Get your doctor's okay if you've been inactive for awhile.)

Step 5 - Learn About Nutrition

For safe weight loss, it's not just about calories. You need to eat nutritious food. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating by Dr. Walter Willet is an excellent place to start reading up on nutrition. Remember that food is the fuel for your body. If you're hungry, eat! Starving is one sure way to sabotage your weight loss.

Step 6 - Put Yourself First

If you're serious about weight loss, then you must make YOU a priority in your life. Unless there's an emergency, things (and people) can wait half an hour if you're heading out for a walk. Remember, putting yourself first does not mean you?re being selfish! Becoming fit and healthy is truly a wonderful gift to give yourself; that?s not being selfish at all.

Step 7 - Go Easy on Yourself

Once things seem to be falling into place, you?ll need to remember that we all have bad days. Stop whatever ?bad? thing you're doing, pat yourself on the back for stopping yourself when you did, and tell yourself you?ll make better choices tomorrow.

Step 8 - Keep At It

Fitness is a lifelong commitment! You can't just lose weight and return to old eating habits. Permanent weight loss means permanent changes in your life, so make sure all the changes you make are ones you can live with. And don?t ever give up. Even if it feels like you?re going two step forwards and one back, pick yourself up and get back on track. Remember, you?re only one meal or one workout away to getting back on track!