Weight Loss without Worry

     You start a diet…now what?  Do you figure out what foods to get at the grocery store, throw out that half eaten box of cookies, and mix-up some sugar-free jello?  These things are fine, but just doing things rarely lead to the results we want, and worse, they often leave us feeling frustrated because — "I am doing all the right things but I’m not losing any weight!"

     You won’t see results on the scale until you start doing the right things, in the right order, and in a purposeful way.  This requires some lead-in time because you need time to prepare properly.  Here is what you need to do before day one of your diet.

1. It all starts with the right frame-of-mind and that starts with building these 5 Keys Characteristics

• Desire — you must know specifically what you want in order to achieve it
• Belief — as Henry Ford said, "If you think you can or you think you can’t, you are probably right"
• Commitment — When you are convinced you must change you do what is convenient; when you are committed to change you do whatever it takes.
• Self-Worth — Nothing good comes from standing in front of the mirror and calling yourself names, any negative self-talk must end now
• Flexibility — Life will not slow down so you can reach your goal.  Plan your next step but be ready to adapt if necessary

     2.  Set Your Goal

• Initial Evaluation — You need to find out where you are now before you can set a specific goal, include…
  • Height
  • Weight
  • Body Fat % (click here for a Body Fat Calculator)
  • BMI (click here for a BMI Calculator)
  • Clothing Size
  • Measurements
• Your Goal — use the BMI calculator to determine a healthy weight range for your height and then pick a weight that is both healthy and mentally pleasing

     3.  Create Your Plan

• Meals — Create a list of meals you can make for the month to avoid last minute dinner decisions
• Clean up your environment — throw out, donate or store unhealthy snacks and fill your shelves with healthy foods
• Get clear on your diet plan and get a notebook to use as a daily food journal
• Get clear on your exercise plan and get a notebook to use as a daily exercise journal

     Now you can begin your diet with the right mindset and everything in place.  Planning takes a few days but it will give you a much greater chance of success, peace of mind and a sense of control.