Weight Loss Articles

Before you start a weight loss (fat loss) program, it's important to know WHY you want to do so. If you take care of the "why", the "how" will usually take care of itself...

Don't just say "I want to lose 40 pounds". That's just a number. WHY do you want to lose weight? Will you be able to wear those clothes that you feel comfortable in? Will you look more attractive to the opposite sex? Will you be a great role model for your kids? Will you have more energy?

Why do you want to go through a fat loss system and not just sit on the couch watching "Desperate Housewives"? You need to be clear on that. That will give you the fire you need to keep going. Write your goals down and stick them to a place you can see them every day. Your fridge, your PC, your wallet or whatever. DO IT. People tend to forget easily.

Another fantastic way to get motivated is to just get fed up with the way you currently look. But here's the catch: Since we see ourselves everyday (even if we avoid "looking" on purpose sometimes), it's hard to honestly "see" ourselves.

We gained 2 pounds last month and one more pound last week and half a pound more during the dinner last night when we were invited at a friend's home...

These small changes are usually hard to spot. It's only when you are able to see their cumulative effect that you really "get" what has happened.

So do this: Take a picture of yourself in a bathing suit. Ladies, use a bikini, ok?

Trust me, after you look at the picture, you will be able to honestly "see" yourself. Most people who do this say: "I can't believe I look like that. How did I get so out of shape"? This is usually a very motivational strategy...

Also, you can't improve what you can't measure. Know where you are and where you want to go. How much do you weigh now? How much of that is fat (buy a fat calliper from your local health food store)? How much is lean tissue? Use a fat calliper so you get these "metrics". How much fat do you want to lose? How much muscle do you want to gain? Be specific...

Saying "I want to lose as much fat as possible and gain as much muscle as possible" is a recipe for failure. "As much as possible" cannot be "reverse engineered" so you create a plan you can stick to.

On the other hand, if you say: "I need to lose 16 pounds of fat and gain 4 pounds of muscle in 8 weeks", then you know that, on average, you need to be losing 2 pounds of fat and gaining half a pound of muscle per week...