So you've decided that you're going to do it.

You're sick and tired of being sick and tired and are once and for all hell bent on losing weight.

Well, let me be the first to warn you of a very grim fact:

Millions have tried before you and most of them have failed miserably at reaching their weight loss and diet goals.

Therefore, I've put together a little beginner's guide to help make sure that you are one of the few that actually ends up being successful at this.

# Get an accurate picture of where you are now

Many people just go and hop on a diet or weight loss program without knowing exactly where they are from the start. This is dangerous because along the way there WILL be numerous times where you will be tempted to simply quit altogether. Without knowing where you started, you won't be able to accurately gauge your progress. Not being able too see that progress put you at an extremely high risk of quitting down the road when the going gets tough.

# Set specific, realistic goals for your weight loss, and WRITE THEM DOWN.

This is one of the most ill-executed steps in the entire process of losing weight. Most people will passively quote some random amount of weight that they "hope" to lose.

"I need to lose 30 lbs." "I'm trying to get back down to a size X" "If I can just fit back into Y, I'll be fine"

That is the exact WRONG way to go about your weight loss. All above the above are hopes. Wishes. Desires. And none does a thinner body make.

What you need are detailed, definite goals that are written and time bound (e.g. "over the next 3 months" to hold yourself accountable to doing what you said you were going to do by the time you said you were going to do it.

# Adopt a step-by-step course of action to get you there

In order for this to work there needs to be a concrete method to your weight loss madness. To this end, you need to chose a weight loss plan that will lead you step-by-step through what to eat (and what not to eat), how and when to exercise, and every other imaginable aspect of losing weight. The reason for this is that goals have a much better chance of becoming reality when they are being attained as a result of a plan or system of action.

# Get started IMMEDIATELY

Most flunkies know how to study. Most broke people know how wealth is generated. Most overweight people how to lose weight. However, what separates all of these very knowledgeable, yet unsuccessful people from the results they desire is action. Don't let that be your fate.

Once you have written specific goals and chosen a plan of action, don't delay in getting right on track to weight loss. The cheesecake, burgers, chocolate, and pastries aren't going anywhere. You can snack on them moderately once you've achieved your goals. Don't get caught into the trap of holding off having Your Best Body any longer. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be done.

# Be Prepared for the emotional roller coaster

Nearly everyone who has tried to lose weight has had some level of success at one time or another. For those who have not been able to sustain desirable results, being knocked out by the emotional roller coaster is most likely to blame.

Look, losing weight is very simple, but not easy. If it were, there wouldn't be so many people trying to get it right. The #1 skill that you will need to develop in order to make it through is surviving the roller coaster of emotions. One day you'll feel as if you're getting great results. A week later, you may actually feel that you are moving backwards. Either way, just know that as long as you consistently follow the weight loss principles, you will ALWAYS move forward, even if it does not feel like it.

# Don't stop until your goal is reached, no matter WHAT

So many times people come to a screeching halt in their efforts to lose weight and diet because they get discouraged a portion of the way through OR after they reach a certain benchmark they allow themselves to be satisfied and quit the program even though their goal has not been reached.

DON'T DO IT.

There was a specific reason that you set your initial goal. Do not sell yourself short by settling for anything less. Stick it out until the very end, and your sense of accomplishment will be irreplaceable.

# Once you've reached your goal, never, EVER let yourself blow up again

This is the last and final barrier to ultimate success in your efforts to lose weight.

Make sure not to allow yourself to relapse while you are in maintenance mode. I recommend sticking to the same general principles that helped you lose the weight and then occasionally indulging in some of the foods that you love. This balance is the best way to keep the body that you've worked for and not feel over-restricted.

Make this the first and last time that you ever have to go through a weight loss program. Remember that if you can just get it right one good time, you can literally maintain it forever with little effort.

Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach,
http://www.weightlossparlour.com/4204.php

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Obesity Shortens Life Expectancy[/center]


Steady gains made in improvement in life expectancy may be brought to naught by the increasing waistlines in America. Obesity has become a killer disease and shortening the life expectancy of Americans. A new report by the scientists in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests shortening of life spans by 3 to 5 years.

Obesity is the major cause of many diseases from cardiovascular to diabetes, certain types of cancers, arthritis, high blood pressure and strokes.

With cost of Health care in U.S. being one of the highest in the world, the economic burden to the society is immense.

The U.S. federal government has released the latest dietary guidelines titled 'Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005' strongly recommends that Americans need to exercise more and consume fewer calories.

What are the key elements of the Dietary Guideline?

Consume a variety of nutrient dense foods and beverages from the basic food groups

Avoid or limit foods with saturated fats, added salt & sugars and alcohol.

People over 50 should include supplements of Vitamin B12

Women who may become pregnant should take plant foods high in iron or iron fortified foods with Vitamin C.

Balance intake of calories with the calories expended through physical activities.

For losing weight reduce calories gradually while maintaining a proper nutrition and increasing physical activities.

Overweight adults and children with chronic health conditions should consult a weight management specialist prior to starting a weight reduction program.

Engage in 30 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity to reduce possibility of chronic disease.

Manage weight or reduce weight with moderate to intense physical activity over and above the normal activities.

Consume variety of fruits and vegetables within the calorie requirements.

Consume a minimum of 3 ounce of whole grain with more coming from enriched and whole grains.

Consume less than 10 % of calories from saturated and fatty acids and less than 300 mg of cholesterol. A total of 30 ? 35 % should come from other monounsaturated and poly unsaturated fats such as fish, nuts and oils.

People who consume alcoholic drinks should do so in moderation ? defined as one drink a day for women and two for men.
get the complete guideline @http://www.weightlossparlour.com/22604.php