How to lose weight and keep it off

“Is Eight the New Twelve?

Is it just me or are all those clothes hanging in the department stores getting smaller? I’ve heard it said that 40 is the new 30 and brown is the new black. I think size 8 is the new 12. At least it feels like it when you’re in the fitting rooms. Size 10 didn’t used to be this small, did it?

Don’t Despair! There is good news. Those cute clothes might look intimidating right now, but with a bit of committment and work, you can conquer those little hiphuggers!

The first thing I personally had to do when I started trying to slim down was to quit kidding myself and start looking at my habits. I actually thought I wasn’t doing so bad. I power walked every day no matter what, except for the days it was raining, or cold, or I got busy, or I got up too late, or I had something else to do. One power walk had a lot of leverage too. One single power walk would afford me all the calories I wanted. Let me tell you, a big reality check is when you start keeping a diary of what food goes in and what exercise goes on. So, number 1 is to keep a diary, right?

Number 2, find a smart sensible way to eat that can be a lifestyle for you. There are literally hundreds of diet plans out there. From eating egg whites and power shakes all day, to eating 7 days of cabbage soup to not allowing a carbohydrate to touch your lips! I have done all the above and can I say-YUUUUCK! I’m not saying that doesn’t work for some people. But it doesn’t work for most people. There are sensible diets with delicious food and can truly be a lifestyle change. Find the diet that suits you.

Do you know what number 3 is? Sure you do. It’s simple math. You cannot take in more calories than you burn. It takes 3500 calories to make a pound. So, if you eat 3500 more calories than you need, you gain a pound. And if you eat 3500 calories less than you need, you lose a pound. That’s why a diet that promotes 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week is a smarter option. If the diet sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Number 4 is of course, exercise. Exercise not only burns fat and helps you lose weight faster, it helps you create the figure you desire. As with a diet, pick an exercise regime that you like. If you like to swim and hate the elliptical, go swimming. If there’s no way you’re going for a run unless someone’s chasing you, try biking. Also, use resistance training to help target those problem areas, such as tummies and thighs.

Exercise as a part of a slimming down regimen also increases your commitment level. If you’ve spent 45 minutes in the gym, you’re not as likely to order that hot fudge sundae. Exercise also boosts your metabolism so that you feel physically better and it releases endorphins so you get a huge mental boost.

And number 5 may be the most important of all. Make small achievable goals. If you start out thinking ” I gotta lose 65 pounds”, well that’s just frustrating. Start out with “I want my favorite pair of jeans to fit better.” Then go from there. A big goal is best reached through a series of smaller goals. Reward yourself when you reach those goals. Not with a carrot cake, of course, but enjoy going to a movie or buying yourself a new bracelet.

Before you know it, you will be strutting your new body and new attitude looking like the hot stuff you know you are!