by Barry Girolamo

Created on: October 19, 2010

Most of us tend to pack on the pounds as the years go by, particularly as we get older and become less active, but anyone can achieve weight loss and keep the weight off permanently, and it does not mean "going on a diet".  The way to achieve lasting weight loss is to slowly make changes in your lifestyle.  There are two areas in your life which you can easily and painlessly change that will enable you to lose weight, keep it off, and make you feel great and to have seemingly unending energy.  A new lease on life is out there waiting for you, and all you have to do is to take the first step.  The rest will follow.

The way to begin your plan is to start keeping a journal of everything you are consuming during the course of the day.  Be sure to include everything, even small snacks, and even if it's just a bite of something.  Do this for two weeks without changing what you would normally consume.  At the end of two weeks, take a good look at your journal, and I think you will be astounded by what you are eating, and how much you are eating.  With this journal, you can begin to make changes in your eating patterns which will have a dramatic effect upon how you will feel, and as you feel better, the changes that you make will become permanent.  You don't want to try to change everything overnight, as this will never work over the long haul.  The idea is to change your habits slowly, as they have taken a lifetime to establish. 

You can begin by replacing all of the sweets, meaning cakes, cookies, ice cream and the like, and replace those items with servings of fruit instead.  Even though fruit does contain fructose (sugar) it is in a natural form which is much healthier, and it isn't surrounded by unhealthful calories and fats which go into these other products.  You can also use fruits to replace the snacks you've been eating along with a glass of water.  This will keep you feeling full, and you will inadvertently be consuming less calories at the same time.  Also, replace all of your beverages with water except for maybe coffee or tea (preferably green tea).  Just by making these simple changes, you will begin to see and feel a difference after a week or so. 

One by one, you can go through your journal, and begin to replace anything which you know to be unhealthful and fatty with foods that are more healthful.  You will still feel sated, and at the same time, you will begin to feel better.  Keep writing into your food journal, and keep careful track of what you are eating.  It isn't so much about how much you are eating, but more about what you are eating that counts.  You can still have a baked potato, just don't use sour cream or butter with it.  Instead, use a butter substitute such as "Smart Balance'.  It's much healthier, and tastes just as good.

The second step of your weight loss plan involves getting in some daily exercise.  Again, you should start slowly, with a walking routine.  This is a great exercise, and if you have a friend or neighbor who can join you, it can actually be an enjoyable part of your day.  As you get used to it, you can increase the distance and speed at which you walk.  You can join an exercise class, or maybe ride a bicycle.  The idea is to get your body moving on a daily basis.

If you make these lifestyle changes, they will become as normal as your old lifestyle, and you will see the pounds come off as you begin to feel better everyday. 

    

   

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