What You Really Need To Lose Weight

Losing weight isn't easy, and if it was it wouldn't be a billion dollar industry where people try to sell you diet products, health food, exercise videos, atkins bars, exercise equipment, medifast, gym memberships, etc. Why do you think these companies have money to buy up all the time slots on overnight TV? 

So what is a regular person to do if they are trying to lose weight?

Well there is no magic formula. Believe me, I wish I could sit here and tell you that there was a magic fruit you could eat every morning for breakfast and look like a movie star, but unfortunately it takes some work.

Now don't stop here and give up, because I didn't say it was impossible, it's definitely not or other people wouldn't have lost weight successfully right?  They aren't better than you are they? They don't work harder, they aren't wired any differently than you and they have just as many tools at their disposal as you do.

The only difference between you and them is that they started trying to lose weight and you haven't.

First things first you need to learn how to eat right. No more eating pizza every day for lunch, no more hitting the vending machine at 3:00 because you're bored and want to eat something. Stop going out to dinner every night and don't eat a big bowl of ice cream before bed. Even if this stuff didn't cause you to gain weight it's still terrible for your heart and cholesterol. 

Eat more veggies. Make a salad and throw on some things you like. Don't go crazy with the dressing but there are some really great ones out there that can make it taste every bit as good as some junky fast food. Bring an apple or two to work instead of eating that candy bar. Drink more water instead of soda.  These are all really simple steps you can take to lose a few pounds and not even notice that you have done anything about it.

Once you get your eating down go out and get some exercise. If you want to go lift weights and look like a body builder, go for it. For the rest of us just go for a walk more often. If you have a dog they will love it, trust me because mine does. If you don't have a place to walk take the stairs at work and get up from your desk once in a while and walk around the office. Do jumping jacks in your living room or just dance to your favorite song. Get your heart pumping and your blood flowing and your body will become a lean mean calorie burning machine before you even know it.

There's obviously more to losing weight than I just talked about and we will be talking about it over the next few posts but this is a good start for anyone who wants to improve their general health and lose weight in the process.  The most important part of losing weight is the mental game, don't psyche yourself out, and don't give up when things get hard.