Lose Weight and Feel Great: Change Your Thinking About Diet and Exercise

Are you always the first one to jump onto the latest weight-loss bandwagon? Do you starve yourself and exercise like a fool only for a short time, only to give it up when "the new wears off"? Did you ever think about changing your entire way of thinking in order to achieve the your physical goal permanently? If you are tired of yo-yo dieting, this article is for you.

First thing's first, you must have a goal and reward. Do you remember that commercial a few years ago that sang the song "She wore and itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, yellow polka dot bikini"? The girl featured in the commercial hung her reward (the bikini) on the wall as a daily reminder of what she wanted to achieve. You should do the same. Whether it is a bikini or a shopping spree for clothing 2 sizes smaller than what you wear now, display a reminder of what it is that you would like to achieve and put it in a location that you see daily. Don't give up on your goal.

Secondly, just as important as your goal, surround yourself with family and friends that will keep you encouraged and focused on your goal. You never know, you may just be their inspiration for future weight loss.

Find a diet plan that works for you, not one that works for Joe down the street. If you love bread and pasta, then do not deprive yourself by going on a no-carb diet. If you do, you will only set yourself up for failure. If you do not like pre-packaged foods, then Jenny Craig and Nutrisystem would not be worth the money for you, however, if you do not like to cook, and have the extra money to spend, then check out those two programs. They are tried and true.

If you choose to cook your own food, visit your local library or bookstore and find books that will teach you to eat right. A few years ago, Suzanne Summers wrote a book titled Eat Great, Lose Weight . In it, she features tried and true recipes that she and her husband follow. Also, check out books like South Beach Diet, The Eat Clean Diet, The Zone, and a host of many others. Also, search for great cookbooks that feature low fat or low calorie cooking. It does not have to have a famous title to be a great weight loss tool.

Also, do not forget the old faithful, Weight Watchers. With the choice of classes, online enrollment, frozen food, a magazine and a cookbook, the Weight Watchers program teaches you to loose weight by using a Points system. Weight Watchers has been around for years and will be around for years to come.

Again, find a diet plan that will be easy to adopt as a way of life. What is the use of dieting to loose 25 pounds, only to go back to your old habits and regain all that you lost? That is what happens when you "diet hop" or "yo-yo diet". They are short term solutions to long term problems.

Think about weight loss completely differently. Compare it to credit card debt. Most people have credit card debt. Those who have it, try to eliminate it. So they make double payments and in no time, their credit card debt is completely cleared...then what happens? Their first thought is, " I just paid off my credit card, I can charge this $2500 plasma screen television without a problem." They never change their thinking about credit card debt.

When you stop and think, you do the same thing with dieting and exercise. Does this sound familiar, " I lost 30 pounds and I feel great. Now I don't have to go to the gym anymore. What a relief!" Remember the $2500 plasma tv? Same concept.

If you are not comfortable exercising in a gym, or maybe, you just can't afford it right now, there are so many things that you can do at home. If you have the extra space, invest in a good treadmill. Please, folks, treadmills are for walking and running indoors. They are not to be used for extra closet space to hang your clothes!!!! If you have a treadmill, use it! Incorporating walking into your day is the easiest and best form of exercise possible. Walk your dog in the park. When you go to the store, park at the far end of the parking lot and walk to the store. When you have the choice between the elevator and the stairs, choose the stairs. Speaking of stairs, if you have a staircase in your home, go up and down it a few times a day, it makes for great exercise. People spend good money on buying a "step" to exercise on, you have several built into your home! Utilize it.

You don't have to spend money on buying workout videos, but if you do, research it first and choose one that is appropriate for your level of stamina. If you have a very low energy level or if you are not limber enough to do high kicks with your legs, then the Tae-bo series is not for you...yet. Look into low impact, stretching and toning exercises at first and work your way up. Just like the diet, if you buy a workout video that does not fit your needs, you will set yourself up for failure.

Remember that Rome was not built in a day. You will need to work hard and be patient. Keep your goal in mind and strive for that achievement.