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Five Step "Roadmap" for Losing Weight
If you happen to be among
the millions of people who are weight impaired, you
may have already considered, or even tried many alternatives
for losing weight...and you may still be seeking that
one magic "remedy"...
Sadly, there are no magic remedies,
diet pills, or supplements for losing weight. It takes
desire, persistence and lots of accurate information
seasoned with ample amounts of supportive and caring
guidance, to succeed.
Through the trials and tribulations
of many failed weight loss plans we now know that if
you try to manage your weight by making radical changes
in your diet and lifestyle, you will eventually fail...around
95% of the time!
For a diet plan to be successful it
must fit within the boundaries of normal day-to-day
habits and activities. It must allow for the consumption
of familiar foods in familiar and traditional social
settings. The exclusion of "taboo" foods or
your favorite fast food restaurant is generally a set-up
for eventual dieting failure.
When you stop to think about, isn't
it usually the things you are told that you can't do
or have, that you desire the most? It's a part of human
nature. We want what we can't have! Take it away from
us, and surely this is exactly what we will want and
crave the most...and this includes the foods we eat.
Even the most highly regarded sources of information
agree that we tend to focus on what we can't have (see
what the Bible has to say about it; Romans 7:14-15).
So, a good plan for losing weight should
not try to radically change your eating behavior. The
plan should adapt to your daily activities and eating
behavior. And of course any good plan should incorporate
the benefits of good nutrition, convenience and practicality.
The bottom line is that we are all very
busy people without a lot of time to spare. We're not
about to turn our busy lifestyle upside down to follow
some restrictive plan for losing weight. Oh...maybe
something like this will work for a short period of
time, but the facts don't lie. Short term loss is long
term gain (in weight that is!). Although the "crash"
weight loss diets may work for a short while, most of
us will find that before long the pounds begin to creep
back on...and there is good reason for this.
- We’re not going give-up eating
at fast food and sit-down restaurants when we need a
quick meal.
- We're not going to give-up eating
with business associates, good friends and family or
any other special meal occasions where dieting guidelines
are difficult (or impossible) to follow.
- We're not going to completely eliminate
the foods we love and crave.
- And we're most definitely not going
to waste precious time preparing special dietary meals
from "scratch" every day!
It's important to know that you don't
have to stop doing any of the above to lose weight.
You can look and feel like a million
bucks, take years off your appearance and have the energy
and vitality to accomplish your dreams, by following
a few simple guidelines. Here they are...
1) Take it one step at a time.
Some of the greatest accomplishments
in life begin by taking one small step at a time. When
we are challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others
to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take action,
great things start to happen!
If you have important weight loss goals
you are not achieving, try to spend less time worrying
about all the possible
"causes" and start concentrating on how you
can make progress.
This is one of the keys to moving forward
and a simple, but powerful tool for success.
Step #2 – Assess your dietary needs
and lifestyle.
Awareness is the key!
Learn about your specific dietary needs
(caloric intake) and daily energy requirements. We're
talking a basic understanding here, and not having to
go into any great detail. Here is a great tool that
can help:
http://www.weightlosswarriors.com/nutribase/
AssessQuestionnaire2005.php
Step #3 - Seek advice from friends and
trusted authorities.
Don't believe everything you hear! There
are thousands of diet "scams" on the market.
When you find a trusted source, ask as many questions
as you can about diet and exercise. Find out what has
worked for others. But always be on-guard for "quick
fix" approach...it won't work!
Step #4 – Start creating a SYSTEM
of support.
About 85% of our "happiness"
and well-being is determined by the quality of our relationships
with other people. Loving, caring relationships and
a network of friends, family, and colleagues lowers
stress, increases longevity and helps us to accomplish
our goals in life (including losing weight).
We are social creatures and we do our
best when we have friends to cheer us on, offer support,
give advice and hold us accountable when necessary.
This makes it easy for us to succeed. So, surround yourself
with people, tools and activities that make it easier
to succeed than to fail! Arrange your living environment
and social situations so that every thing around you
pulls your forward!
Step #5 – Use your resources.
Read motivational tips, general health
information and any other literature you can get your
hands-on. Information is power!
Step #6 – TAKE THE FIRST STEP!
There you have it. So, get started today
on "your" Road to Success!
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