Real Weight Loss is Not an Easy Task

Many products out there offer easy, effortless weightloss.  But most of them have a catch.  Not too long ago, Hydroxycut, an often popular weight-loss supplement, claimed some lives.  Alli, while it is FDA approved, makes you wear some sort of pad, because the fat that doesn’t get absorbed, goes right through you, and you can’t control the leakage.  Regular exercise is not really an option for a lot of people, because of (insert excuse).  Calorie counting is a pain in the butt.  Programs like Jenny Craig or Weightwatchers can be expensive, and counting points can be annoying.  Nutrisystem sounds like a great plan, but it does require some extra money investment, since you have to personally add fresh vegetables and fruits.

An all-inclusive boot-camp style workout, such as the ones conducted in The Biggest Loser, are really not an option, since we all have to work or take care of our homes or jobs, or kids, or parents, or all of the above.  A personal trainer can be very expensive.  So what can we do to take a first step?

As in all problems we face, recognizing that we have a problem is the very first step.  Recognizing that we’re doing something wrong that is preventing us from losing weight is the first step, and usually the toughest.  The second toughest step is to do something about it.

Without worrying about calories, my suggestion is to keep an honest food journal.  In this journal, you should keep track of what you eat, and in what amounts, every single time you open your mouth to eat.  It only takes about 5 minutes to jot down:  11:00 am – Large Big Mac combo with a diet coke.  Or 2:00pm – 1 apple.

A food journal will give you an idea of how much you are actually eating, whether you eat on a schedule, and whether you eat healthy foods.  You may not notice what you’re eating, but you know what is junk and what is not, for the most part.  At the end of the day, take 5 minutes to reflect on why you had what you had.  For example, “at 11 I had a Big Mac, because I was stressed about finishing a project at work, and needed to have a quick 5 minute lunch.”  Now, this is not where it stops.  Once you figured out what gets you to eat junk, you get to work on a plan to try to improve on it.  I am not saying to drop Mickey D’s alltogether, or to become a raw foods vegan overnight.  Simply come up with a plan on how to eat better next time you’re stressed about a deadline.  Does that make sense?

The next thing is, of course, exercise.  You do not need a fancy gym with expensive membership.  You don’t even need a lot of space or a lot of time.  The good thing about exercise is that it accumulates throughout the day.  One hour of cardio has the same results as 6 10 minute sessions of cardio.  So start developing a small plan that will allow you to take 5 minute breaks here and there to exercise.  It doesn’t even have to be crazy abs or lifting weights.  It can be something as simple as a walk or a nice, effective stretch.

And remember, it may not seem like much, but small changes to your daily routine are easier to follow than overnight upside down changes that can be overwhelming and setting you up for failure.  Set simple, doable goals, and when you have been consistent with them for a while, it’s time to add on some more.

Good luck!!