The Time for Change is Now: 5 Simple Steps for Weight Loss!
By Gail M. Davis | August 6, 2008
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Have you been thinking lately that you ought to do something to turn your life around? Are you unhappy with the numbers on the scale or with your fitness level? Knowing you need to make a change can be intimidating. If you have a long journey ahead of you, it can be particularly daunting. Change is easier than you might think. There are many ways to make small, manageable changes that will lead to huge results. We’re going to discuss five of them here.
Keeping a journal is the first major change that you’ll need to make. You’ll need to sit and reflect on what’s going right in your life and what needs to be improved. Be honest with yourself. Pay special attention to the details and be very specific! Keep this record in a place that is convenient for you to refer to it often.
The second important step to making lasting change is to know your numbers. Know where you are so that you can work towards improvement. Jump on an accurate scale and record your weight. Take your measurements, being sure to include chest, waist, hips, upper thigh, and upper arm. Visit your doctor for some blood work. Make a note of your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and triglycerides. Record this information, along with the date, in your journal.
The third thing you’ll want to do is to create some goals. You must know where you’re headed. Write down exactly what you intend to accomplish and again, be specific. Include both short-term goals, which can be achieved in two to four weeks, and long-term goals, which could take months. It will be the short-term goals that provide you with the most motivation. Be careful not to set time limits. Don’t record, “I want to lose 10 pounds in one month.” Statements like this tend to set you up for failure. Let things happen naturally to reflect the changes that you have made.
The fourth step on our road to change is for you to learn the weight loss guidelines. This includes becoming proficient at utilizing the food pyramid and it’s recommended portions. There are several food pyramids to choose from, including the USDA Food Pyramid and the Vegetarian Food Pyramid. Choose the one that best meets your needs and become familiar with it.
Learning to accurately judge or “eyeball” portion sizes is a must! If you love to socialize or frequent restaurants then this is an essential skill for you. It’s your best defense against being overweight.
Another important weight loss guideline that you must learn is how to read and understand the nutrition fact label. These are found on almost all food products and provide valuable information that can help you make wise food choices.
The final step to making change in your life is to become more active. If you love to exercise or “play” outdoors, then your task will be easier. If you can’t stand the thought of sweating, then you’ll have to look for ways to be more active throughout your day. Take advantage of television commercials to perform sit ups, crunches, and jumping jacks. Get up to change the channel. Park your car further away from your destination and vow never to take the elevator. Rake the leaves in your yard and pull out all the weeds from your flower bed. Every little thing that you do burns more calories than sitting and helps you make healthy changes.
If you follow these five easy steps to change, you will find that you will feel better and look better in record time! In addition, you will have the energy and stamina required to meet the demands of your busy day. Your self-confidence will grow daily and you will wonder why you waited so long to do something so significant for your health.
Topics: Nutrition |
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