Imagine She Was 36-25-34: Tips on Weight Loss

*Nelly

Note: Although this article is written to women, it very much relates to men as well. These tips are beneficial to anyone looking to lose weight and get healthy!

Ok so today's post is about weight loss. The ever-present longing in the forefront of most American women’s minds. Not only are we bombarded daily with ads on how to slim down instantly without trying, but we also have the constant pleasure of comparing ourselves to the figures of models in magazines and mannequins in the mall--figures that many of us are not physically capable of attaining. So what’s the deal? Is there really a way to lose 20 pounds and 7 inches, and acquire a 6-pack by next weekend?

REALITY CHECK! There’s no quick fix. The good news is that there’s a simple solution to the love handles, thunder thighs and spare tires…in theory. There is one way, and one way only, to lose fat. Intake fewer calories than you expend. Simple enough to understand, right? Now for the hard part: it takes work. You must change your diet and exercise habits.

Here are some tips on how to make this an easier transition:

• Be proactive. Spend a couple of days mentally preparing yourself for the road ahead before you begin your new routine. It’ll give you a better chance of survival.
• You don’t have to get rid of all the bad stuff at once. This could cause massive feelings of withdrawal. And an unhappy woman is not one who sticks to her new diet for very long. Instead, try eliminating extra calories slowly.
• Sugary beverages--like soda, caramel lattes, or sweet tea for you southern ladies--have a reputation for packing in “empty calories”. They attach themselves securely to your waist, but never truly satisfy. Try gradually replacing them with water.
• Water is one of your best weapons in the "Battle of the Bulge." To get your recommended eight glasses a day, carry a water bottle around with you. Aside from other known benefits, it'll help you intake fewer calories since most Americans mistake their thirst reflex for hunger.
• Walk. It’s an easy exercise to start with, and you burn just as many calories walking a mile as you do running it.
• Start a food journal. This can be as simple as writing down the things you eat in a notebook. If you want to take it further, you can record calories, fat grams, carbohydrates and other nutritional items. Either of these choices will make you pay attention to the foods and amounts you eat.
• Accountability. In other words, get a buddy for moral support. If someone else knows your plan, you‘re more likely to stick to it and reach your goal!

Got more tips? Post a comment!

"Your body is the baggage you must carry through life. The more excess the baggage, the shorter the trip." -Arnold H. Glasgow

"You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there." -unknown

"The time for action is now. It's never too late to do something." -Carl Sandburg