In Order To Lose Weight For Good, Make A Lifestyle Change

Many people who are overweight often try to find ways to lose weight fast, and therefore will also seek an easy way to lose weight. Remember those old Slimfast commercials? The celebrity told us to drink a shake for breakfast, then one for lunch and follow those up with a sensible (code for small) meal for dinner. One of these celebrities was a former football coach who was a pitchman for that product, and he did lose weight. Not long afterward though, the pounds were back on, and he even looks heavier than before.

The problem with these types of diets or fads, including many of the exercise programs we see on TV, is that they are difficult to stick with in the long run, because they are drastic changes. Furthermore, these are just temporary fixes rather than real change. The fact of the matter is that losing weight, and then keeping it off, requires a lifestyle change.

So what do we mean by a lifestyle change? A lifestyle change is a change that you desire to make permanent. A lifestyle change is usually made for the purpose of health improvement. Some lifestyle changes are easier than others to maintain over the long haul. Quitting smoking is an example of a lifestyle change that proves to be difficult to maintain for many people in the long run. Avoiding alcohol consumption is another example that is difficult to maintain for an alcoholic.

Some lifestyle changes can prove to be easier to maintain permanently. Adding a walk around the block to your daily routine is an example of an easier change.

When you are trying to lose weight in order to become healthier, and you desire to maintain that better level of health, it is a good idea to start small. Many people get the idea in their head that they want to get in better shape, so they join a gym thinking that they will go workout three or four days each week. This may last a month or two, and then they fall off the wagon, let the gym membership expire, and go back to their old ways.

With this in mind, it is best to start small. Sure, go ahead and get that gym membership, or order those P90X videos, but don't plan on that sort of thing becoming a permanent part of your life just yet. Instead, start with a small change, such as simply getting up earlier enough in the morning to give yourself time to work out. Don't get up an hour early and start working out every morning. This will last a couple weeks, but likely will not last more than that. If you do happen to have the energy one morning when you do wake up earlier, by all means, work out. But, don't feel like you need to train like an Olympic athlete when you do.

Combine that early rise in the morning with a 30 minute walk at lunch time and shunning at least one item of food or beverage that you typically consume each day that you know contains empty calories. This may be a soda, a donut, a cupcake, or a bag of chips. Just eliminate one, and replace it with a healthier alternative.

These may seem like small changes, but they will actually add up quite a bit in the long run! Now you have gotten yourself on the right path. This will translate into some modest weight loss, so from there, after a month or so, slowly add some more physical activity into your schedule, and try to eliminate and replace one of those lousy food choices with something more healthy.

These are the types of changes that have a better chance of becoming permanent. If you want to lose weight for good, be sure you keep things simple and small at the beginning and you will have a greater opportunity for success in the long run!

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