Starting a Weight Loss Program

     Ok. You have made the commitment to lose some weight. But, where do you start? How do you start a weight loss program, anyway? Do you go buy a bag of carrots and celery and start jogging? You could, but I wouldn't recommend it for anyone that wants to avoid frustration.

First thing, start looking at what you are eating and try to estimate the calories. Do this every day for several days to get an idea of the types and amount of calories you are consuming. This will help you figure out what kind of changes need to be made. Next, buy some good scales or pull the old ones out of the closet. Keeping up with where you are on a daily basis will be a huge motivating factor once you begin to lose some weight.

What weight loss program should you go with? Most all the good ones will work. The best ones offer meal flexibility, education and varied exercise routines that combine both aerobic conditioning and weight resistance. Do your research and pick the one that best reflects your personality and tolerance level. I say that, because this is not something you should go into with a short term commitment. The changes you make need to stay with you to keep the weight off and live a healthy life.

In the beginning, a 1,400 calorie a day diet will get you some fairly quick results. But, maintaining that over an extended period will become more and more difficult to achieve. Especially when you get down to that last 10 or 15 ponds, it may seem like your making no progress. This is why exercise is key. As you start approaching your goal, up your calories. I'm talking about the good kind of calories here. Don't hit the deep fryer and wade into a bucket of fried chicken. But, while you increase your calories, turn up the exercise a notch or two. This will allow you to eat more, still keep seeing results and plow through that plateau. Increase your exercise enough to burn off the increase in calories and then some.

Now, that wedding or high school reunion or whatever that initially got your weight loss wheels turning has passed. Everybody thought you were stunning. And the people you see every day are used to the new you and the compliments have died down. What will keep you motivated to stay on this healthy lifestyle? That really is a 64,000 dollar question. But, odds are very good that you will feel and look so much better, there is little chance of backsliding if you concentrate on those two things alone.

When starting a weight loss program, regardless of the trigger mechanism, take notes on what you are eating now and how much and when. Get a good set of scales. Then, research and pick the program that best suits you. Even though you initially may have been motivated by the upcoming annual Barn Dance, make a long term commitment for change. Once you start feeling good, it's easier to hang with the program. Be happy!

1. Prev:Why Is Losing Weight So Difficult For So Many?
2. Next:Effective Weight Loss Products That You Can Trust