The headlines pop out at you from the glossy magazines on the checkout line at the grocery store; “lose 30 pounds in 10 days”, “lose 5 inches in days”. You happen to be in the market for a weight loss regimen but the thought of yet another diet makes you feel dizzy.
The fundamentals of weight loss has not changed in spite of the myriad of weight loss options available today.
If you move more and eat less, you will lose weight.
As simple as it sounds, you and I know that it is difficult to pull off so we are always on the lookout for the new shiny tool promising us a quick and easy way to get into that gorgeous swimsuit.
Here is how to lose weight without the constrains of a diet:
1. Move more. Hire a trainer or coach if you have to. Stay up late or wake up early if that’s what it takes. Walking the dog counts, taking the stairs instead of the elevator counts. Just do your best to move more than you are doing right now.
2. Pick a day of indulgence, your casual Friday of sort. I could be insulting your intelligence if I told you not to ever treat yourself to a slice of cake or an ice cream sundae. Everybody needs some indulgences.
The reason most diets fail is that they build a pent-up demand for whatever your indulgence of choice is and you finally give in, you binge and just throw up your arms saying “oh well”!
Having a day of indulgence helps to deflect this binge cycle so you get to eat your cake and have it too – one day a week.
3. Be Consistent. Create your routine for moving more and do your best to stick to it. Even if or when you fall off the wagon, don’t beat yourself up about it, get back on your routine.
That’s how you accomplish a lasting lifestyle change.
We are kicking off a fitness challenge that would help you do just that. The Move More Tone Up challenge is just what the doctor ordered for the busy woman who is too exhausted and time-cramped for exercise.
Check out the Move More Tone Up Online Fitness Challenge HERE!
Great post! Excellent read. This is much more realistic.
good advice ** also, space your 3 meals a day into 6 smaller ones
Great advice. Just remember it is about changing habits and becoming healthy.
Excellent advice. I eat a lot of fruits and vegetables and walk everyday and that helps me. I still have my bowl of ice cream or indulgence here and there but for the most part, I’m pretty good.
I think you have a good balance going on Lesley.
Consistency is really key. I don’t believe in diets, I believe in modifying my lifestyle to get the results I want. Only lasting change can bring lasting results.
Great list. Consistency is the key. I also like a daily indulgence. Thanks for the info.
Great tips! I’m working on loosing some weight myself.
It takes determination to stick to this list, but worth it.
Sigh. That’s my problem. No consistency in my life!
We all share your shortcoming with consistency Taya. It is hard to stick with something.
This is sound advice for sure. Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome Crystal.
Dr. Bola and Dr. Carol, Congratulations on a wonderful website. I am looking forward to being part of the program, and I just signed up 🙂 I have been slowly losing weight for the past 2+ years after working with a health educator and writing down everything I eat each day, keeping calories between 1500 and 1800, and making exercise a regular part of my life. I do still have something “good” from time to time, but feel so much better that I wonder why I didn’t do this much sooner. I guess I just wasn’t ready to “hear” what I needed to do until the time was right. Please keep up your wonderful work, and thanks so much!!
Judi Parker
Judi,
We are excited for you! I just sent Carol a text telling her that you just signed on for the Move More/Tone Up challenge when your comment came through.
You, Judi are the reason we do what we do. You don’t know how many times we tell each other that if nobody likes us, Judi does.
Thank you, thank you Judi!