Weight Loss: Consistency and Secret Weapons

     According to the Bloomberg Business Exchange, Americans spend close to $40 million annually on diet products. Wherever we are, and whatever we are doing; conversations always seem to drift to our dissatisfaction with our body size. We are beyond obsessed with those three little digits on our scale. We have become a nation impressed by media images of rail-thin models and celebrities, who try and convince us that they have "good genes", and that they can eat whatever they want.

You and I, however, know that isn't true. Most of us have tried it all: high protein diets, drinking more water, exercising, drinking liquid shakes that look (and taste) like grass, diet pills, liposuction... Should I go on? We are looking for that one magic potion, the one simple pill that will do it all. We want it done yesterday. We don't wait for results. We don't make commitments. We just determine that nothing works, and we move onto the next marketing fad.

So, why does nothing seem to work? Well, it's because the key is consistency. Yes, everyone hates that nasty little word; but consistency achieves results. Nobody wants to admit that we've been consistently eating wrong and consistently not exercising. Isn't it the truth? Aren't we guilty of being consistent with the bad habits that lead us to wage this constant battle of the bulge? We try new, "healthy" habits for two or three weeks. When we don't see results, we throw in the towel and go back to our "tried and true" routine. We go back to making poor choices until we have our next big event, and freak out, looking for the "quick fix" that will bump us down a dress size.

I抦 not saying there are not quick fixes out there. There are diet pills, exercise plans, and nutrition plans. When these are combined properly, they can achieve results in about two weeks. (I'm not talking two weeks where you fall of the wagon at 10 p.m. and reward yourself with a Twinkie, either.)

You can start by choosing a plan that will be easy to follow. There is no need to buy a diet magazine and throw out the contents of your refrigerator. Start by buying fresh fruit and vegetables. I always shop the perimeter of my grocery store first - the fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy aisles. The "middle?of the store is where I am often tempted to buy packaged and processed foods. So, I just try and simply stay away. My favorite treat now is a parfait loaded with fresh strawberries and fat free whipped cream. Slowly but surely, I have increased the fresh food in my house, while decreasing the amount of packaged and processed food.

Now, most of us make resolutions to go to the gym. We fail to realize that we have to: drive there, park, wait for a machine, get our work out in, and then... shower. That doesn't sound too convenient, does it? It's personal sabotage! An easier way is to pick a personality whom you admire and buy a 20 minute DVD or video that you can do at home, at your convenience. The ideal 20 minute workout will have NO breaks, and be a mixture of cardio and strength training. You should do the workout every other day. On the days that you aren't doing this workout, call a friend to join you for a walk.

Be consistent with your exercise and your diet. Keep a journal. Write down your achievements and your failures. Mark your results. Keep your measurements. If you can't see changes and improvements in the mirror, the numbers in a journal don't lie.

There will be days when you do not want to exercise, or when you just want to go out and have fun. This is when I will call on some extra energy, or motivation, to get the job done. These are my diet pills. After the holidays, when I have those five winter pounds for extra warmth; I look to diet pills to "quick start" my regimen. Some people see this as cheating. I see it as self-motivating. They are "tools" that help me stay on track.

Consistency is really the key to achieving results. In today's busy world, it is hard for us to stay consistent when we are being pulled in so many directions. It is so important that we make a diet and exercise plan that is easy and convenient. There is nothing wrong with adding some "secret weapons' along the way to speed up our progress.

1. Prev:Learn the Weight Loss Secrets of Colon Cleanse and Enjoy a Healthier Life
2. Next:Tips on Losing Weight Fast - Five Recommendations for Achieving Astounding Fat Loss Results