A Conscience Decision To Lose The Weight And Become A Healthier You

Have you tried diet after diet to try and lose those unwanted pounds? Have you succeeded with crash diets only to gain all the weight you've lost and then some? You are not alone. A large portion of the overweight population has had their fair share of crash or fad diets. Continuing on this yo-yo dieting roller coaster plays havoc on your heart, among other things. It's just not healthy.

I've personally experienced the yo-yo dieting frenzy. I've actually experienced it at both extremes. Years ago after the birth of my son, I literally starved and exercised myself down to a thin 116 pounds. Regretfully since then and over time, I stopped my workout routines and began eating a normal diet. And now consequently, I'm facing a weight loss issue once again.

So what is the key formula for healthy weight loss? More importantly, what is the key to "permanent" weight loss?

A healthy metabolism is the key to losing the weight and keeping it off. Eating healthy foods in moderate proportions throughout the day, rather than starving yourself will boost your metabolism and maintain your natural hormonal equilibrium. Eating more often but in smaller portions will actually lead to quicker fat loss.

But you have to make that conscience decision to lose the weight in the first place. You have to make up your mind to really want it bad enough and be willing to do the work. Once you've made your mind up, it's all about making that commitment of eating healthy and working out on a regular basis.

So, you've made your mind up and have committed to it. Good!

* Change your eating habits and make healthy choices such as; lean meats, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

* Drink plenty of water. Choose bottled water over sugary, high-calorie soft drinks. You need to drink at least 8 full glasses of water everyday. This will aid with weight loss and also help wash away toxins from your body.

* Whenever possible, grill foods rather than frying.

* Exercise everyday if possible. If you find it challenging to fit it in your schedule daily, then aim for at least every other day. Combine your workouts with stretching, walking, and cardiovascular workouts. Also remember to consult your physician before starting on any exercise plans.

* Eat 5 small meals during the day verses 3 larger ones. This will help speed up your metabolism and keep you losing. An example of a healthy small meal or snack is maybe a banana and a low fat granola bar, or some low fat yogurt. How about a small fruit salad? Fruit is always good anytime of the day.

* Keep your mind active throughout the day. Always stay occupied doing something. This will keep your mind off of cravings and also keep you from thinking negative.

* It's a good idea to weigh yourself twice per week rather than daily. Weighing yourself daily can lead to discouragement if you don't lose the weight as fast as you would like to. Remember, more than likely you didn't put on the weight overnight, therefore you won't lose it overnight.

If you've found permanent weight loss challenging, I suggest following the tips outlined above. The only way to do it is to just bite the bullet and start eating healthy and start a workout routine, preferably a routine that is backed up by your doctor. Starving and crash dieting will only hurt you and will most definitely lead you to an unhealthy you.