The war on unwanted extra pounds is a relentless battle that is fought, won and lost in our minds. Fact.
No, that does not mean that we can Jedi Mind Trick ourselves into a Slim Fit men’s suit. There is definitely an amount of effort that must be applied. Everybody has wanted to lose a few pounds and “get it right get it tight” before that special upcoming social event you’ve been looking forward to. We’ve all been there at some point. That last 2 weeks we are trying everything we can to lose that extra 10-15 lbs. No bread, no sugar, no calories, no starch, no dairy. Basically, no real nutrition. If you torture and deprive yourself for 14 days, you deserve at the very least to lose 10 lbs. Right?
QUESTION: Why do you gain the weight back PLUS some??
ANSWER: You chose a “Crash” or “Fad” diet. Period.
This is tough to admit sometimes but, you didn’t lose the weight for yourself to begin with. That 14 day torture you survived was for others viewing pleasure, not your own health benefits. If you are a fan of crash diets, AKA “Lose 10 lbs in 6 hours”, the crew here at Fresh Demeanor implores that you do your research because you are actually doing more harm to your body than good. After that first week of “freedom” from food deprivation you find yourself holding up the line at your local fast food spot wondering how they can turn a double into a triple. It happens. Trust me. I’ve been there.
It’s a vicious cycle that countless individuals find themselves in. Most of the time you eat like you are hosting a specialty episode of “Man VS Food” and then you essentially starve yourself to lose the weight when you find yourself on a “stage” for others to see. THE CYCLE ENDS WHEN YOU WANT IT TO.
Look into mirror. That person you see is the only person that is holding you back. Nobody else. When you finally make it up in your mind that you want to live a healthy lifestyle, you will not only lose the weight but you will keep it off!
Below are some things that has proven successful for myself and hopefully they can help you too.
- Drink LOTS of water. There are many suggestions on water intake online i.e. Drink eight glasses of water a day, drink a gallon a day, drink half of your body weight in ounces a day. The fact remains is that we should drink lots water each day. Our bodies are made up of 65% water. Think of it as keeping oil in your car to run smoothly. Its essential. If at all possible, STAY AWAY FROM SODA. If you are truly a Coke/Pepsi fiend, try Coke Zero or Pepsi Max. Note: Diet Soda is not a substitute for water intake.
- Change your Diet! Make REASONABLE changes to your diet. Limit sugars and fats, eat more fresh vegetables and fruits. Your diet is the KEY ingredient in weight loss. Exercise will help maintain that loss and build muscle and endurance. Fact. Do your research. 3,500 calories equals about 1 pound of fat, you need to burn 3,500 calories more than you take in to lose 1 pound. So if you cut 500 calories from your diet each day, you’d lose about 1 pound a week (500 calories x 7 days = 3,500 calories) The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume. That’s food for thought (no pun intended) It’s not rocket science when you break it down.
- Accountability. This is an underrated important factor in a healthy lifestyle change. Have somebody you can report your progress to. It can be as simple as sending a picture of the weight scale reading once a week. This will help you to feel a certain measure of pressure to make sure you are on top of your game. If you have to answer to someone, you will be motivated you to adjust your thinking and acts so you can give a favorable report. That’s why it’s imperative to choose a reliable support system. When it comes to your health; Your life…leave the “Yes Men” at home.
- Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. I can’t stress this enough. We are all imperfect. You are bound to slip here or there. It’s understandable. Having a mind-set focused on consistency will elevate you far beyond the realms of discouragement from that regrettable cupcake incident earlier in the day. You have to put all your effort into that next snack, that next meal and make SURE that its healthy. Why? It’s all about being consistent. Forward progress.
I’m far from a healthcare professional or a “Health Fanatic” but, I am serious about my personal health. I’m serious about my life. It’s impossible to have a Fresh Demeanor any other way. Maybe you have a difference in opinion regarding what works for you. Maybe you have ideas that you can add to the list above. Feel free to share with the rest of the FD community. We want to hear your thoughts.
James II
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