Today more and more of us are living life on a dangerous ‘cocktail’ of unhealthy life style choices. Many of us eat too much of the wrong things (and not enough of the good stuff) as well as way too little physical activity, and way too much stress. These issues are the main reason that some things are becoming more common, such as diabetes for example. The good news is that if you act now, many of this can be turned around such as weight loss and diabetes.

Most doctors will tell you to lose weight and exercise more, but what few doctors will help you with is finding the best method to do that. They don’t seem to want to admit that it is difficult, that you may fail a few times before you find the right combination of diet changes and exercises that you like to do.

Most people think that ‘working out’ is all about the work part. And it is work, but if you find an activity that you actually enjoy doing, it won’t seem so difficult and you may even find yourself having fun.

Remember when you were a kid and the sheer joy you felt when you would take off in a dead run? Or how free and alive you felt just skipping down your driveway? You can recapture a lot of that joy if you take the time to find a physical activity that you actually like to do. That is the number 1 ‘secret’ to being successful in your weight loss: find an exercise that you like doing.

Of course getting more physical activity is the first part of the weight loss and diabetes equation. The second part is to make better food choices. I hate to use the word ‘diet’ because that can have such negative connotations. People often equate that word with eating celery stalks for days on end (which is completely counter productive by the way)

Instead I think it’s better to make better food choices and lifestyle changes. Start simple and small. What is your biggest weakness? Too much soda, sweets, carbs? Whatever it is, start there. Now, don’t expect to go cold turkey and completely cut those things out of your diet. It’s unlikely that you will be able to succeed. Instead just make it a policy of cutting way back on that problem item.

If you like soda a little too much, than concentrate on changing that habit and cutting way back. Only allow yourself one soda a day, for example. It’s all about moderation.

Go easy on yourself. Instead of setting yourself up for failure by setting some grand, lofty plan that will be virtually impossible to stick with, give yourself every chance of success.

Choose to start smaller, with more achievable lifestyle changes. It won’t take longer because the overly confidant goals will probably never be accomplished anyway. Smaller goals have a much better chance of success, so start there.

Most health issues can be improved or prevented by maintaining a healthy weight and getting exercise. Diabetes is one of those illnesses, weight loss and diabetes reduction go hand in hand.

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Yuck! You feel fat! Maybe you just caught a peek of yourself in the mirror and weren’t happy with what you saw. Or, maybe it’s more serious. You had a doctor’s appointment and you were told you could die early as a result of how much you weigh. regardless of the reason, you are now at a point where you want to know how to lose weight. Even if you’ve tried dropping a few pounds before, this time you have to do it, anything else simply isn’t an option. That’s good! If that’s your attitude, then you are already well on your way to losing weight.

However, if you are looking for some of secret, or “latest diet breakthrough” then you will be let down. On the other hand, if you are only concerned about results and melting away that unsightly flab that has invaded the wrong parts of your body, then you’ll want to pay attention.

You should know, no matter how you feel now, it is entirely possible to lose weight. Notice I said “possible” and not “easy”. It may be easy for you, or it may not. But it is possible. My guess is that some of the techniques will sound a little goofy, but they worked. Besides, you have to stop worrying about what others think if you’re going to do well. For the record, none of what follows is theory. They are all things I did to drop 22 pounds in a few weeks. Use as many of them as you like and celebrate the victory of each pound coming off.

I’m about to use a word that I used to despise. I liked to watch TV and play around on the internet, in fact, I still do. Oh yeah! What is the word I’m referring to? Exercise.

If you are cringing at the very word, then we may have already zeroed in on part of your problem. Who likes to exercise? Sorry, it doesn’t matter. You have to engage in activities that put your metabolism into high gear, and that’s what exercise does. It’s not as bad as it sounds as you will see.

Just as the word “diet” conjures up negative images of torture and self-deprivation, so to does the word “exercise”. So call it something else. “Activities”, “play”, “fun”, “sports” or…”movement” are all good alternatives. Whatever it takes to get you to change your perception of it into something more positive.

You don’t need any fancy equipment, or any equipment at all to get started. Go for a walk around the block, climb up and down the stairs an extra time, run in place, lift large soup cans, work in the garden, anything and everything that is extra movement will burn extra calories. Even if you only burn a few, they will add up over time. Of course you can always jog, go to the gym or join a local amateur sports team if you like. Whatever you enjoy doing is fair game.

The final tip is to try to keep moving. At any given moment during the day you should be engaged in some kind of movement. Even something as inconsequential as twiddling your thumbs or tapping your foot. Sure, people may think you’re nervous about something. But, remember, you don’t care what they think anyway…you’ve got weight to lose! You can do it!

Tags: Appointment, Attitude, Calories, Diet Breakthrough, Exercise Plan, Fancy Equipment, Flab, Guess, Healthy Diet, Lose Weight, Losing Weight, Metabolism, Mirror, Negative Images, Peek, Somethin, Torture, Victory, Word Diet —