Weight Loss Program

For many people weight loss is one of the biggest challenges they face. It can take a bit of motivation to really get on top of your weight, but what people don’t realise is that it does not have to be that hard. Most people know what they have to do to lose weight; eat less and exercise more. We all know that, but how much do you need to exercise and how much less do you need to eat. Weight loss all comes down to the calorie differential between the calories you eat compared to the calories you burn. When you burn more calories than you eat, you WILL lose weight.

So then next question that needs to be asked is, how many calories does my body burn? Most of you will be pleasantly surprised at how many calories you burn each day for doing nothing. Let say for instance you were a female that weighs around 70kg, you will burn around 1900 calories per day. This is without any exercise! For weight loss, throw in some light exercise and restrict your calorie intake to around 1500 calories per day and you will lose around 0.5kg a week.

The biggest key in weight loss then becomes a proper diet. Did you know that there is over 250 calories in a bottle of coke? Or that there is over 300 calories in a slice of chocolate mud cake? You can certainly keep the foods you love in your diet, however for weight loss, moderation is the key. You need to be clever about food substitutions. Instead of having a slice of cake, have a healthy muffin. Have a can of tuna or some vegetables with dip. You need to come up with between 5 to 10 healthy snacks that you know you like and have the pre-prepared that way when the cravings come on you can go straight for your healthy snacks. It is the binge eating that really hinders weight loss progress so it is important to keep your body fuelled regularly with heavy food so you are not feeling hungry all the time.

Make sure you write out your goals. Studies have shown that people that write out their goals are twice as likely to succeed with reaching their weight loss goals. Start off by making them reasonable and something you know you can achieved. Then, when weight loss actually happens, you can reset your goals and make them more challenging.

The key for weight loss is keeping your energy balance in check. A great site that does all this for you is Australian Lifestyle & Fitness. They have a range of weight loss tools that allow you to keep track of all aspects of your health and fitness, and keep you motivated for sustained weight loss.

Have you tried to lose weight in the past but failed? You may have been fighting yourself to do it. I’ll explain.

There are two main parts to our mind: the conscious and the subconscious. The conscious part of you wants to lose weight and look good this upcoming season. Meanwhile, the subconscious wants you to continue to eat all the foods that make you feel comfortable and happy. Unfortunately for you, those tend to be composed of sugar and carbohydrates which only make your waist line grow. In a scenario like this one, the person ends up yo-yo-dieting because their “Will Power” can only last so long – literally. Will Power only gives you a short burst of energy. Once it’s gone. It’s just gone. The only thing left behind is your emotional stress and frustration which can lead to a vicious cycle of weight rebounding.

That is the reason why the problem of losing weight needs to be tackled at the source of where the mental conflict is – in your subconscious. The subconscious is where all your habits and patterns lie such as not eating healthy, not liking to exercise and drinking only soda. Once you get this part of your mind in sink with your goals, change becomes easy because you’re no longer fighting with yourself.

Hypnosis Has Been Scientifically Proven To Work For Weight Loss.

Setting your mind to lose weight and motivating yourself to enjoy healthy habits is possible with Hypnosis. A significant number of studies (several of which are listed below), have demonstrated that adding hypnosis to a weight loss program significantly increases its success.

A 1996 study conducted at the University of Connecticut published in the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology found that, on average, people who used Hypnosis were able to lose 2.5 times more weight than a person not using Hypnosis. The authors went a step further by stating, “The correlation analysis indicated that the benefits of Hypnosis increased substantially over time.”

As someone who previously battled with keeping extra pounds off, I know that you need to have the correct frame of mind in order to be successful. You may have experienced occasions when you’ve dieted and exercised but then your will power wore off. In the end, you slipped back to your old patterns and rebounded in weight. This continuous vicious cycle affects you not just physically but emotionally because as your self-esteem spirals downwards you start to overeat; you start eating calorie laden comfort foods again and you get stuck in the same pattern.

This scenario happens to countless of Americans who fuel the diet industry with their purchases of diet pills and other fads in hope of achieving their weight loss goals. The problem, however, is that the more you rebound, the more you set yourself up for failure for the next time you try to diet.

In reality, the perfect equation for most people to lose weight is simple. It’s:

Weight Loss = The Right Mind Set + Healthy Eating + Exercise

That’s it. In life as in science, the simplest answer is often the correct answer.

Hypnosis can help you achieve the right state of mind by “cleaning up the mental clutter” that prevents you from holding a determined course to lose weight and live a healthier lifestyle. It gives you the ability to naturally chose to eat healthy foods, to want to exercise and to be focused on achieving your weight loss goals. For some, it’s as simple as one session, while others see benefit from a series of sessions.

In a research article titled, Hypnotherapy in weight loss treatment, a group of researchers found that in a test group of 60 participants, those that did not use Hypnosis only lost .5 lbs while the group using Hypnosis lost 17lbs. Why? Because the people who had access to Hypnosis sessions were able to achieve that weight loss combination that eludes most people today.

More proof of the ability of Hypnosis to boost a person’s weight loss was shown in January of 2004, when Dateline aired “Losing it: Dateline ultimate diet challenge.” The show compared some of the most well known methods known to losing weight including the Atkin’s diet, Slim Fast, Weight Watchers, extreme exercise with calorie restrictions, working with a diet coach and Hypnosis.

The top two weight loss techniques that worked were Hypnosis and the Atkins diet. Unfortunately for the man who used the Atkin’s diet (Rick Burns), while he lost weight, he also became sick. “Rick developed a painful case of gout, a condition he’d had before, that he suspected was a result of the diet.” His diet had to be modified.

Marc Merlis, the man who did Hypnosis along with exercising and eating healthy continued to happily lose weight.

“After three months under Hypnosis, his wife had a nickname for him. Incredibly, “droopy drawers” had lost the most so far, a staggering 40 pounds. That’s when droopy’s wife got in on the action. She went to the hypnotist to quit smoking. And guess what? Smoke free, fat free. Five months in, for the Merlis’s things couldn’t be better. And at their son’s bar mitzvah this May, lifting Marc was a piece of cake.”

As long as Marc continued his Hypnosis routine, he was able to continue his path of losing weight. One of the things that I noticed about this weight loss challenge was how much the other contestants suffered by the calorie restrictions that they had to undergo. It’s hard to focus if you feel that you are starving. Hypnosis helps program your mind to think thin – this includes wanting to exercise and wanting to eat healthy so you’re not constantly struggling about what choices you have to make. An added plus to Hypnosis is that it helps you control your stress levels. This in turn helps you to lose weight.

Even highly respected consumer advocate John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20, who is known for debunking fraudulent claims, agrees that Hypnosis is no sham. In his best-selling book, “Myths, Lies and Downright Stupidty”, he makes a bold take on Hypnosis:

“Just when my skeptic’s antennae convince me I always know bunk when I see it, I get fooled. I assumed hypnosis in medicine was one more con game… “Hypnotherapy will help you lose weight!” C’mon, if it worked, there wouldn’t be all those overweight people around. Truth: Hypnosis works — if you let it!”

Smokers can also reap the benefits of Hypnosis for weight loss. A two-fold study stated that both nonsmokers and smokers alike experienced significant weight loss as well as decline in their Body Mass Index compared to the group who did not practice Hypnosis. In fact, the group who used Hypnosis continued to show lower post treatment weights. Non-invasive and relaxing, Hypnosis makes achieving your goals easy.

Hypnosis simply allows you to have better motivation and self control as well as a positive emotional association with your diet and exercise. You don’t just lose weight, you gain control of your own life, so that you can go out there and achieve all the other things that are on your list of goals.

Sasha Carrion, CHT

Helping You Achieve Your Goals

To Read A Deeper Explanation Of How My Hypnosis Program Works To Help You Lose Weight and Keep It Off, Go to: www.sashacarrion.com/WeightLossProgram.htm

Other than physical appearance weight affects a person in many ways. This could be the overall quality of life, self-esteem, depression, health risks, and physical incapabilities. There are a lot of positive changes once a person experiences weight loss.  It is for this reason why a lot of people are searching for a weight loss technique that will  trim down those fats and get a slim  body.

All over-weight people should  seek a doctor to recommend the best weight loss program, which leads to a healthy weight loss technique. To lose weight fast and effectively these aspects of life should be changed: eating habits, behavior and activity level.

Here are fast tips that can change an over-weight’s persons life:

Fast weight loss composes of a multi-faceted technique that consists of mindset, exercise, and diet supplements.  Begin by learning which diet food plan  can easily be integrated with your lifestyle.  Start an exercise plan that allows at least fifteen minutes a day like brisk walking, running, swimming, and dancing. Set realistic approaches.  The ability to focus and have proper mindset enables someone on a diet to quickly lose those extra pounds. With discipline and proper mind set, a dieter will not lose focus easily.  Listen as the body speaks.  Everyone’s body metabolism reacts differently to fast weight loss programs and plans.  Try substituting one program for another if needed.  Exercise programs must be suitable to one’s body.  If walking is all that can be done, then walk for this is proven to be the best exercise.  Muscles burn more calories than fats so it’s also best to put on a little muscle and start looking good too.

Eat more fibers for it slows down the rate of digestion.  A serving of whole grain bread moves fat through the digestive system faster.  Grains turn into blood sugar that spikes the body’s insulin level.  Thus, making the body more energized and ready to tell the body when it should stop burning fats or start storing.  Keep away from fried foods especially deep-fried as this contains a great amount of fat.  Although fish and chicken appear leaner than beef, this white meat can contain more fat than a beef when it is fried.  It is recommended for those on a strict diet to opt for grilled food as this contains less fat after the food is cooked. Drink lots of fluid.  Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day keeps the body refreshed.  Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated.

All in all, discipline and consistency is still the best practice and the key to a rapid weight loss success.  Light dieting, workout, and right amount of supplementation applied in a regular way everyday will result in faster weight loss than having a massive action only to be followed a return to old habits as this would only lead to gaining more weight than when the weight loss plan has started.

For More Information Please visit Weight Loss Xpress

One of the first questions a Nutritionist, Wellness Coach, or Fitness Trainer usually asks his or her client is: How many weight-loss programs have you tried over the years? Well, lets take that a step further and ask: How many of these weight-loss programs have taken a holistic approach and demonstrate how you can incorporate more raw and living foods in your diet? To fully understand the impact of a holistic weight-loss program with raw foods or living foods, lets take a deeper look at the word holistic. Holistic means considering all factors in a whole system without dividing components. Weight-loss is a science and like any science it is made up of systems and all systems must be considered as a whole.Accordingly, holistic weight-loss is the only way we can experience permanent weight management meaning that we will lose weight and keep it off. A holistic weight-loss program that includes how to safely transition to the raw food diet and increase your vibration focuses on the whole person. If a weight-loss program does not focus on restoring your health, fitness, power, and resolution, it is a temporary and quick-fix to what can become or is a lifelong battle. Holistic weight-loss is essential for permanent weight management. No one wants to continue on the yo-yo dieting rollercoaster; therefore, one must take control by developing a holistic weight-loss program which incorporates the raw food diet with the help of a Holistic Nutritionist, Wellness Coach, or Fitness Trainer. And the average run of the mill program will not do. A holistic weight-loss program with raw and living foods is vital in order to support your complete success in losing weight.Again, holistic weight-loss programs which incorporate eating more raw foods consider the whole person–emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually. More often than not when a person gains weight, there is more to the problem than just avoid eating too much junk food. Many times there are food addictions involved, emotional stress, and spiritual disconnection. A holistic weight-loss program allows the client to identify these factors in order to lead the individual on a path to optimal health. Weight-loss programs which omit addressing the whole person and the raw food diet  have often resulted in compromising your health. Weight-loss programs that do not consider the whole person are destructive for several reasons: 1. Many people who are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese have underlining issues related to the health of the whole person. 2. These underlining issues may include stress, low self-esteem, a poor self-concept, food addictions, emotional eating…all that must be addressed during the weight-loss process. 3. Studies and case reviews have shown that people who are overweight, obese, or morbidly obese develop a distorted body image even after they have lost weight. 4. Many people view a diet as a temporary and quick way to lose weight and do not understand the importance of holistic nutrition and whole foods. 5. People who join many diet programs with pre-packaged foods or special supplements to suppress the appetite are suffering from malnutrition. 6. Because such programs cause malnutrition, many people can not keep up the diet for the rest of their lives and eventually gain all the weight back and more. 7. Detoxification is important to the weight-loss process because a toxic body is not a healthy body and an unhealthy body will not maintain weight-loss.8. The body is designed to metabolize whole and natural foods. It is all the additives and processed foods our body cannot recognize. Truth: You have to exercise. 9. Exercise is a part of fitness. Exercise works to reduce body fat and body size. 10. Exercise can help remove toxins11. Exercise restores our energy levels and helps us to produce lean muscle. Lean muscle helps us burn more calories and more fat. Truth: You must get educated about weight loss. When considering these factors, if losing weight has been a battle for you, you can empower yourself. We can empower ourselves by learning as much as possible about holistic health, nutrition, and how the body works. Knowledge is power. Once we have the knowledge, we know exactly how to develop our own holistic weight-loss program. By developing our own holistic weight-loss program, we will empower ourselves with knowledge that will allow us know why we are doing what we are doing. We will have a plan that works for us. By developing our own weight-loss program with a holistic approach, we will have a plan based on the science of losing weight. And most importantly, we will have a health and wellness plan we can commit to for our entire lives.

overweight and obesity are becoming very common these days and people try to attempt several methods to lose excess and unwanted weight. Overweight not only changes the way you look but also has comes with the possibility of health risks. Therefore overweight persons have to take up one method or the other to lose the excess fat. What is more important than losing one’s weight is losing it quickly and safely. One such method of losing weight is the weight loss supplements. There are a lot of weight loss supplements available over the counter claiming to have miraculous effect in losing weight quickly and easily. Not all these supplements are good. So before you buy weight loss supplements ensure that it is both effective and safe.
Always choose the best weight loss supplements by reviewing them thoroughly and opt for renowned makers. Weight loss supplements act in many ways to help reduce weight. Some of these weight loss supplements try to speed up your metabolism. Some stimulate the thyroid gland increasing the active hormone production. Some claim to stimulate the muscles in burning glucose saying that it helps in weight loss. There are some weight loss supplements that have effect on producing heat, which is again a process of spending calories. Some chromium based weight loss supplements can be very dangerous as they may damage the genetic materials in the cells.
One of the problems is that some of these weight loss supplements are untested, unproven and are neither effective nor safe. So before you choose your weight loss supplements make sure you have made the right choice.
One another type of weight loss supplement is available in the market, claims to melt away fat while you sleep. The ingredients in this supplement are supposed to be collagen hydrolysate and Vera. While collagen is like protein in normal food and helps in muscle building Vera is a laxative. This instruction along with this weight loss supplement is that the persons using this supplement should not eat anything for three hours before going to bed. The laxative effect of Vera adds to weight loss. It is actually the decrease in consumption rather than the supplement that helps one to lose weight. Weight loss supplements also include sweeteners with low calorie value. The main advantage with these sweeteners is that they are approved by FDA for their safety. These sweeteners can be very safely used even by pregnant women and children.
Further there are thermogenic fat burners. These weight loss supplements raise the temperature of your body and thus increase the number of calories burned. These have proved successful and effective in losing weight. Like other weight loss supplements, these have to be used moderately and not abused. Short term usage of these thermogenic weight loss supplements have proved successful and resulted in good weight loss.
One other form of weight loss supplements is the fiber powder or the pills. Generally fiber food makes you feel full and also help in stimulating the contractions of your intestines. So these kinds of weight loss supplements create a feeling of fullness and there will be weight loss because of the emptying of your intestines. The problem is taking fiber in concentrated forms like pills and powder for a longer period may lead to diarrhea, nausea and you may also become dependent on fiber supplements for bowel regulation. Ensure that you consider and take the correct amount of weight loss supplements after proper consultation. Further, weight loss supplements along with other things like exercise, nutritional diet etc, will help in safe and effective weight loss.

There are so many weight loss programs available nowadays. Each one has its own different spin on the best food to eat, the best exercise to perform, the best everything to help you lose weight.
Well, if you peel away all those differences, what you SHOULD get from each of the programs are medically sensible and healthy weight loss ideas. (If you don’t find the following points in your current weight loss program, chances are that program is useless.) Here are the weight loss guidelines that you SHOULD find in each of the weight loss programs out there today:
1. Self-evaluation: each program should have some portion that focuses on discovering the source of your weight issues. This can range from genetic to habits based on emotional or mental states of stress. Make sure your program has this aspect because it is important to know where the problem is coming from to effectively fix it.
2. Plan and prepare: as with all ventures worthwhile, it is important to plan and prepare fully for it. Losing weight is no different. Fast weight loss will have a noticeable affect on your body other than just losing extra pounds. So plan ahead to make sure that you focus on and include ways to better your overall health while losing weight.
3. Take charge: for as much as losing weight fast is an ambitious goal, it is also a goal that you need to remain accountable to yourself for every step of the way. Believe that you can change your weight and believe that you do have the self-control and discipline to do it quickly. It is up to you to be focused, while ignoring your environment, which has too many influences that can make you fall off the weight loss wagon. So make sure that losing weight is a top priority for you!
4. Eat more but less (or working out your inner body): your weight loss program should, if it’s worth its penny, advise you against skipping meals at one point and then gorging yourself at another. Fasting is, indeed, a good tool but only for a very short amount of time, usually only the very first day of a new program. Other than that, it is advised to change your daily diet from 3 square meals a day to 5-6 smaller meals a day broken down. This point is also called “Working out your inner body” because by eating so many meals throughout the day, your body’s metabolism is going to be a lean, mean fat-burning machine! But when you fast, your metabolism will slow down so make sure to keep your metabolism in tip-top condition for your weight loss goals.
5. Eat whole: that doesn’t sound like it makes sense, I’m sure that’s what you’re thinking. But your weight loss program, whichever you pick, should be focused on eating healthy whole FRESH foods: fruits, vegetables, quality meats and whole grains. By eating more fruits, vegetables and grains, your body is digesting plenty of fiber, which is a great tool for cleansing your body and losing weight.
6. Less is better: a good weight loss program will advise that you minimize your sugar intake. A great weight loss program might tell you to cut it out entirely. Personally, I’d go with number 2 but I can see how that would be difficult since there are so many foods that contain sugar without being a usual suspect. Keep processed foods away since they are the biggest culprit of excessive sugar intake. Make sure your program advises you against excess sugar!
7. Exercise the body: a good weight loss program should tell you that exercise is a great way to lose weight; a great weight loss program should tell you that exercising regularly is a must! You do not have to join a gym though since there are so many various exercises that you can do either outdoors or with minimal equipment. The important part, whatever exercises you utilize, is that you exercise regularly and consistently, with regular and steady improvement.
8. Maintain sanity: that definitely doesn’t make sense but think about it for a second. When a new thing comes around, everyone flocks to it and goes crazy over it! Your fast weight loss will be just as special and exciting but make sure that you don’t go overboard with each program’s unique guidelines. Stay within healthy and medically advised boundaries with any and all weight loss programs.
9. Set go!: finally, whatever your weight loss program is that you choose, it should motivate you into action! It should get your juices flowing and make you want to lose weight even more. So make sure the the weight loss program you choose is sincerely focused on helping you lose weight!
You are now armed with the most important guidelines that should be found in every weight loss program available today. Be thorough in your readings of these programs and pick wisely! Remember these weight loss guidelines every step of the way to a new, healthy, slimmer you!

Every weight loss program has its minor differences here and there so it is easy for people to find one that works the best for them. But with all of these different programs, there are some principles that should be present as the foundation for all of these weight loss programs, especially since the majority, if not all, of the weight loss programs available keep advertising that you can lose weight super quick.
My personal belief is based in natural health so I believe that any changes you make, weight loss or anything else, should be done safely, no matter how fast or slow you go about it. So here are the core fast weight loss principles that I believe every weight loss program out there should believe:
Fast Weight Loss Principle #1: Goals are extremely important. Without goals, you will not know where you’re going with your weight loss program. Take the time to plan out on paper (or at least jot down a general idea) the goals you have for losing weight: number of pounds you want to lose, number of inches you want to shed, number of months you feel you can achieve it in.
By doing this and looking at your goals everyday, you will be able to focus so well on your end goal, that your weight loss program will speed by with fantastic results. During any down moments, by focusing daily on your weight loss goal, you will be able to motivate yourself into success!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #2: Monitor your progress. Keep a weight loss journal (or call it what you want) with you everyday. Don’t think of it as a tedious task but instead, focus on the improvements you will be able to see yourself making. Think of it as you are currently writing your weight loss success story that you can look back on and say, “Yes, I did it!”
The things you will want to monitor are the types of foods you eat as well as a rough estimate of the daily calorie intake, which is important for weight loss but not in a “You need to count calories” idea. By making yourself familiar with your daily calorie intake as well as the types of foods you eat, weight loss will become easier as you go on because you will learn what you need to do to lose weight (the specifics can change day by day).
Fast Weight Loss Principle #3: Picture your progress. It may seem silly but simple things like taking note of how your pants fit on day 1 versus day 20 or even taking a picture of yourself at regular intervals can really do wonders to motivate you and keep you going with your weight loss.
If you opt for the picture idea, your weight loss will be very clear to you in those pictures each week or month (go with week instead). So to keep yourself going, ham it up for the camera!
Fast Weight Loss Principle #4: Bottom line, cardio plus strength training are key. Beyond that, just find exercises in both cardio and strength training that fit your liking. If you’re not much for running, then go for swimming or bicycling.
For strength training, it is best to consult a personal trainer to find out the best exercises as well as a variety of exercises for you to use to achieve your weight loss and sculpting goals. With both cardio and strength training, it is important to consult your physician before beginning the physical portion of your weight loss program.
Fast Weight Loss Principle #5: Eat right. Yes, you’ve probably heard that phrase everywhere and there’s a reason why it’s absolutely essential that you make sure you eat right.
Now, each weight loss program will tell you certain things to avoid and certain things to “highlight” but make sure that the weight loss program you choose definitely includes plenty of meats and vegetables. (I can’t imagine that any program would advise you against eating meat and vegetables but you never know.)
The quantities and types of each will, as I said, differ depending on the specific weight loss program you choose but make sure the one you choose does include those two food groups.
As there are many people with different likings, there are also very different weight loss programs that will fit each person’s individual preferences. But it’s wise to make sure that the weight loss program you choose has a balanced foundation with principles that will really help you lose weight quickly and safely.

When purchasing any weight loss product, it is important to do your research. Many people are exchanging their opinions about Weight Loss on DietBlogTalk.comFor an additional source, check out Weight Loss on the very popular Sensational.com

Why It Is Important To Maintain A Healthy WeightThere is a simple way to keep you heart, mind and body overall in good health: maintain a weight appropriate for your build, gender and age. Though it may seem like a simple matter, a healthy weight can prevent heart disease, high blood sugar and cholesterol, certain kinds of cancer, and depression; this is not to mention the obvious improvement in overall appearance and self-image. And despite what many people think about losing weight, it can be quite simple—a routine of healthy eating and daily exercise plus proper supplementation is often enough to take off and keep off extra weight.What To Look For In A DietA diet that is designed around healthy and permanent weight loss will be based on nourishment rather than deprivation. People who reach a healthy weight and maintain it usually do so by eating a well-rounded diet of fresh foods from each food group. Such a diet serves two purposes for the dieter by keeping hunger at bay while also stimulating the metabolism to burn faster. Diet guides, weight loss cookbooks, and structured meal plans can provide dieters with a way to stay focused on their goals.Exercise, too, can become easier when certain resources are employed. At-home exercise equipment is often a good way to exercise, as it is convenient for the dieter; workout DVDs and book-based programs provide a similar benefit. As long as the dieter is keeping up her heart rate for at least 30 minutes at a time, she can assume it has been a productive workout that may lead to weight loss. It is recommended that those losing weight stay active nearly every day in order to experience continuous benefits (fat being turned to energy, a faster metabolism, creation of lean muscle, etc).You may also want to try one of the proven weight loss supplements now available. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise they can offer some good assistance. Look for one with ingredients that burn fat and help to control the appetite and cravings.Where To Find Good InformationAny dieter seeking free information can find what they’re looking for online—there are many sites devoted to dieting, exercising and the products that make weight loss easier. You can tell a reputable weight loss site based on its affirmation of eating well and staying fit as the keys to weight loss; another indication is its unbiased look at supplements and equipment. A product site should feature comments from consumers or a user-run rating system. Message boards and forums that allow dieters to post can also be a great place to ask questions or find encouragement from others who are losing weight.ConclusionThankfully, the increase in obese and overweight people has been met with the creation of new resources to help all people lose weight. Maintaining an ideal weight yields so many benefits, from a great looking body to a healthy heart, that there is no reason to not start on the path to weight loss right away. Let today be the day you gather weight loss resources (cookbooks, guides, meal plans), exercise supports (equipment, DVDs, books by the experts) and online information so you can begin burning fat, defeating your cravings and working your way to a better you.

My girlfriend is obsessed with the television show, The Biggest Loser.  For those of you who don’t know, this popular reality show is basically a weight loss contest.  She loves to see the dramatic weight loss results that the contestants get each week.  She loves this show so much, she has convinced me to watch it with her each and every Tuesday night.  I have to say, the show is quite entertaining and I do enjoy watching it with her.

But, from a weight loss standpoint, Im not impressed.  The goal of the show is to lose weight as fast as possible.  In order to do this, the contestants engage in a very extreme weight loss program that is designed to cause rapid reductions in bodyweight.  Rapid weight loss is great, right?  Not so fast!  This is not necessarily the case.  Heres why:

First of all, weight loss is not the same as fat loss.  More often then not, the weight these people lose is composed of lean muscle tissue, water weight, and some body fat.  Unfortunately, it turns out that losing muscle actually causes your metabolism to slow significantly, which makes losing body fat even more difficult than it was before.  So losing any muscle at all is really not desirable if you intend to maintain your fat loss results on a permanent basis.

I’ve found that when people lose weight quickly they have a significantly greater chance of the dreaded weight regain. Since weight loss and fat loss are two different things it’s important to realize that rapid weight loss is not always ideal. Of course we all want to lose fat quickly but remember that it must be done correctly, scientifically and carefully or be prepared to gain the weight back.

When you have a weight loss program which is performed properly you will be able to lose fat quickly, not just weight, by keeping your lean muscle mass. Lean muscle mass is crucial to long term fat loss because it keeps your metabolic rate high. I want to see you change your body forever and not just for a short term period so don’t think so much “quantity” or weight but quality of weight by losing fat.

In order to be a long term maintainer I suggest taking a look at what people are doing who have truly achieved “real” fat loss. Here is the big difference between long term maintainers and big losers:

First off every long term maintainer has a solid workout program which always includes both cardio and resistance training. The goal for most of these people is at least 30 minutes of exercise almost every day.

As far as diet is concerned a “big loser” and a maintainer’s habits will vary greatly. Big losers usually follow the fad diets and perform limited exercise or simply perform aerobic work with no resistance training. Also, the self-monitoring methods used by big losers and maintainers differ as well such as measuring bodyweight and body fat percentages and also measuring calories.

Self-monitoring is probably the most criticized and avoided weight loss technique especially when it comes to calorie counting and measuring food. Some fitness experts even claim this to be an inconvenient method of weight loss because it seems too restrictive. I believe this to be one of the most beneficial weight loss methods and can make a huge difference between getting fat and losing fat.

4 Strategies To Ensure Fat Loss Success!

1. Become more active everyday! Daily exercise is crucial for weight maintenance and weight loss.

2. Include resistance training as part of your regular exercise program, during your fat loss phase, and even more importantly, during maintenance.

3. Closely monitor your portion sizes and calories. To start off do exact measurements even though that may be a little time consuming then afterwards just eyeball the quantities.

4. Focus on losing fat and not just weight!  Measuring your body fat percentage is the best way to ensure that your weight loss is actually coming from fat and not lean muscle.

Follow my 4 fat loss strategies and you too will stop being a big loser and become a long term fat loss maintainer!