Let’s face it — too many Americans are overweight. There are basically three reasons why —

(1) Diet
(2) Lifestyle
(3) Genetic factors
weight scale

Right along with quitting smoking, weight loss is a primary factor in determining the quality and duration of our lives. About the only people who are benefiting from the fact that we’re overweight are the owners of companies that develop weight loss products. If you look at those three items I listed above, you can see that spending a fortune on these products may not benefit you at all, unless you do some things on your own.

If you want to save some money, try these tips to help you lose weight naturally.

1. Write Down Your Weight Loss Goal

Start with the end in mind and write down the weight you would like to achieve at the end of a specified date. Make it specific — for example: If you now weigh 185, say, “I want to weigh 160 pounds by July 30, 2007″. Now, work backwards and break that final goal into shorter-term mini goals. For example, by March 15, 2007 I will weigh 180 or 175.

2. Affirmation

Write down your weight goals and say them out loud every morning and every evening before you go to bed. Paste them up on your bathroom mirror. Be sure that you also visualize yourself in your perfectly-sized cloths.

3. Measure Your Progress And Celebrate Your Success

Keep track of your progress at least once each week. When you meet your mini goals, celebrate your success and give yourself a reward. Don’t make the reward something fattening, though.

4. Get physically active — exercise every day.

For weight loss, it’s good to get at least 30 minutes a day of aerobic exercise. Walking is the best. Mix in some strength exercises as well.

5. Eat right and drink plenty of water.

Stay away from fatty or fried foods. Stay away from the fast-food places. Learn to read labels and avoid as much sugar as possible. Eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Don’t skip meals — starving yourself will never help you to lose weight. Drink eight ounces of fresh water every day.

6. Get Support

Find others who are motivated to do lose weight. Check out the internet forums on weight loss to find lots of like-minded buddies. Talk to your friends and family about your goals and successes.

7. Stay Motivated

Don’t let all the commercials on TV and in magazines distract you from your goals. The pressures put on you in our society to gain weight are enormous. Just remember that they are out to get your money — they’re not interested in helping you to stay healthy. This goal of losing weight is well worth the time and effort you’ll put into it. Stay focused and stay motivated. You will feel so much better for it.

The key to successful, natural weight loss is about 80% mental work — that is staying focused and having good talks with yourself — and the other 20% is knowing how to make it happen.

Have a healthy day.

Shanti,

Ron
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Ron Rink (See my profile on the “Contributors” page — the link is in the upper right hand corner) writes regularly in his “Nutrition and Weight Loss” blog at: http://www.wecould2.com. Be sure to stop by, check it out, and leave a comment.
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