Losing Weight My Way

I have made the decision I want to lose some weight and get healthier. Unfortunately, there is no magic pill or solution to lose weight fast (in a healthy way).  From my own experience, I am most successful when I follow a few key things.  I am in no way a health professional and my suggestions are from my own personal experience.  Three years ago, I lost 25 pounds.  I stopped following my own advice and gained some of it back.  It is time to get back into the swing of things. 

Make small goals.  If you say you want to lose 50 pounds, break it up into smaller increments.  Because to be successful, you really should only expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week, losing 50 pounds will take a while. If you break those pounds down to 5 pound increments in reasonable time periods, you will have success.  Success feels good and gives you motivation.  

Keep a Food Diary.  Although it is not fun and it can be an excuse for not meeting your goals, keeping a food diary may be the most important key to losing weight.  If you are a techie like me, there are a couple of really cool apps you can use to help with tracking.  I like the apps at myfitnesspal.com and livestrong.com.  Both have free apps with a premium app also available.  Both apps make it easier to track what you are eating (with easy to use calorie look-ups), water intake, exercise and weight loss. However, just writing down what you are eating on a piece of paper will work too.   

Know how Many Calories You should be Eating.  Both of the Apps mention above have the ability for you enter your information (height, weight, age) and calculate for you what your calorie intake should be to lose weight.  I have found if you count your calories, reducing your fat intake, reducing carbs, not eating too much meat takes care of itself. Eat more fruits and vegetables.  Not only are fruits and vegetables healthy for you, they are typically low in calories and will help you not feel hungry.   

Eat What You Want.  Yes, I said eat what you want.  However, to do this you need to be aware of what you are eating.  Refer to “Food Diary” above.  To lose weight consistently, you will need to keep you calorie intake to at or just below what is your daily recommended allowance.  You don’t want to “starve” yourself by not eating enough calories, as your body then wants to keep all your fat for a rainy day.   

Exercise.  This does not have to be some expensive workout program or joining a gym.  If you just get out and walk every day, you will be healthier.   

Drink Water.  Nothing hydrates your body better than just plain water.

Spring is finally here in the Midwest.  No more excuses – it is time to get started.