How to Lose Weight With A Common Sense Approach: 6 Powerful, No Fail Tips to Shed Pounds
Posted: Friday, January 01, 2010
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
This article isn't some gimmick; nor is this a magical formula for eating certain foods. I am going to give you 5 powerful, no fail tips to lose weight and keep it off. First, let me begin by saying, I am not a doctor, nor am I a nutrionist. I am an average American who has learned about losing weight from research and my own life experiences. I promise you there is no mystery is losing weight. God made our body so that with our help, it will run smoothly and maintain a healthy weight.
Some people have to come to some sort of crisis in their life to be mentally ready. Maybe they have diabetes or can't walk without their knees hurting or maybe they take a look in the mirror one day and decide they want to change. Tim Blixseth said, "The turning point was when I really realized that I can do it myself. That you have to believe in you because sometimes that's the only person that does believe in your success but you." We all have the power to do what we want to do. It is inside all of us.If this doesn't happen, you may as well not even try the other tips. You have to be mentally ready to live a healthy lifestyle. You may be asking, "How can I mentally prepare myself to live this healthy lifestyle? You have to realize once and for all that life is a trade-off. If you really want to be healthy and look lean, you really can but if you don't contribute towards your good health, you won't be successful in feeling or looking good. It's that simple.
2. Move everyday.
Our bodies were made to move. If you are sitting at a desk all day, you need to compensate for that by walking or exercising. It is very easy to morph into a sedentary lifestyle. Your body hardly moves and then when it does, you are tired; get discouraged and then you're back to being sedentary. Pull some weeds, mow the lawn, swim, walk or play with your children, but move every day. Move in some way everyday for at least 30 minutes.
3. Eat Plenty of Vegetables and Fruits and less of processed foods.
What does "plenty" mean? More than most Americans consume. If you don't count potatoes-which should be considered a starch rather than a vegetable-the average American gets a total of just three servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The latest dietary guidelines call for five to thirteen servings of fruits and vegetables a day (2 to 6 cups per day), depending on one's caloric intake. (1) For a person who needs 2,000 calories a day to maintain weight and health, this translates into nine servings, or 4 cups per day (2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables). (Harvard.edu.) Here is something to think about: If you eat all the fruits and vegetables that your body needs, you won't have much room left for foods that are not good for you.
4. Choose Friends or a Group Who Will Support Your Lifestyle
When I lost weight I met up with friend's everyday to walk and exercise with but also joined Weight Watchers for Support. My friends were my saving grace. Together, we all wanted the same thing; we wanted to exercise and lose weight. Every day I looked forward to.walking with my friends. I knew I had to get up early and walk they were all waiting for me. Some of us also need a group setting for support and some will do fine with just supportive friends.
5. Stay away from those who try to sabotage you
You will be surprised at some people that you know. They are going to tell you that you are getting too skinny or my favorite thing is "just a little piece of cake won't hurt you." Until you are strong enough in your lifestyle, stay away from those people. (I still have a friend (?) who persists in giving me cakes, candy, etc. I am gradually breaking away from her because I don't think she has my best interest at heart.
6. Find a physical activity that you love and do it!
You heard me right. You don't have to go to the gym or do crunches every day. Find something you love; something that gets your heart rate up. Maybe you have always wanted to line dance or bowl or maybe you have a passion for working in the yard. That will work, too. An 11-year old, Matt Bohn expressed what he liked to do for fun:" Baseball is fun for you and me. There is batting and fielding and making an out, there is doubles, triples and even home runs, but what I like about baseball is for the fun."
I challenge you to try my 6 powerful tips. Notice, I did not leave out one food group. (I think sometimes you should have that piece of pie). You will soon love your lifestyle and wonder why it took you so long to change.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)So when are you going to move to Colorado so we can walk together each day (and maybe look at the glycemic index of foods?) Marijo
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