For those two-thirds of us who are overweight or obese (in the United States), nine out of every ten of us will fail at our long term attempts to lose weight.  For those of you outside the USA, beware, this plague is moving toward other countries as well.  It is only a matter of time. 

So...  Why the struggle with weight loss? 

I believe there are a number of factors that play into the weight loss equation, but because there are so many variables, it makes it very difficult to solve.  Each of us is different; therefore the variables in our weight loss equation are different.  It is imortant to understand, you may not fit the Atkins mold, the South Beach mold, or any of the many other popular ones.  You may need to develop your own, unique mold.                   
I would like to further explore the areas I believe most of us struggle with.  If I can motivate just one person to make a committment to a healthy lifestyle, then this article series did it's job.

Committment  
You need to commit to a permanent lifestyle change.  Jumping on the fad diet bandwagon for a couple weeks at a time is not going to produce the long term weight loss results you are looking for.  Sure, you will lose those first five to ten pounds(of mostly water weight by the way) but the weight will not stay off long term; it will return. 

You and I both know committment is number one.  Until you are really ready to committ to a lifestyle that includes healthy food, exercise, and a positive outlook, your chances of long term weight loss are fairly slim.  Diets come and go but a lifestyle change is something that will be with you and your children forever and may just stop this viscous cycle of unhealthiness that is now also affecting many of our children.  

Nutrition
Talk about controversy...  If we could just pull big business out of the equation, the topic of nutrition might finally become crystal clear.  Can you say lost cause? 

You and I, on the other hand, are not lost causes.  Our best line of defense is knowledge and the ability to separate fact from fiction, theory from reality.  You need to understand how YOUR body reacts to sugars, fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.  You need to understand blood sugar, cholesterol,  nutrients, and proper portion sizes. 

Beyond knowledge, use common sense.  It's not too hard to figure out that the canned pears which have been processed and soaked in syrup and preservatives are not as good for you as a fresh pear. 

Diet Pills
But wait... you can lose up to 30 pounds in 30 days with this pill.  Let's get real.  It's not going to happen.  Maybe one out of 1000 people will see unbelievable results.  In the mean time, the rest of us sit here wondering what is wrong with us.  My take on diet pills is that they are "diet aids" not "diet remedies".  Generally speaking, I do not believe a diet pill ALONE will produce the long term weight loss results we all want.  But, couple a diet pill with a healthy lifestyle and you may see accellerated weight loss.

Reality Check
Please do not create unrealistic weight loss goals.  The statistics show nine out of  every ten of us will fail in the long run.  Why not give yourself a break and create goals you can live with.  Give yourself a chance to be the one in ten who succeed.  Don't sabbatoge your efforts by beginning with an unrealistic goal. 

Exercise
Did I hit a nerve?  Could it be exercise is the one thing you always find a way to put off or just can never find enough time to do?  I am sure you figure if you eat right and pop those diet pills, you will lose weight without the exercise.  Maybe you will, but if I was placing bets on who becomes the one in ten, the odds are against you.  Exercise is a necessary part of any permanent lifestyle change. 

Stress
You need to get control of your stress levels.  Unresolved emotional issues, work place stress, clutter, over-scheduling - it doesn't matter where the stress comes from.  What matters is that you put a plan into action to deal with it.  Unresolved, chronic stress WILL sabbatoge your weight loss efforts. 

Self-Image
When you close your eyes and picture yourself, what do you see?  If you see an overweight individual, in other words, you see yourself at your current weight, you are unconsciously sabatoging your efforts to lose weight.  Instead, picture yourself at the weight you intend to attain.  This gives your brain an image of what you look like and a basis off of which to begin.  Begin what, you say.  Well, begin to construct that person;  to match-up the physical picture with the mental picture.  Now this isn't some sort of  'miracle' cure.  It is a process that takes time and dedication and is part of an overall lifestyle change.

All right, what is the resounding message here?  Lifesyle Change!  In the next article we are going to get into more detail on how we can handle some of the weight loss challenges we face.  I know most of you will already have created your New Year's resolutions, but resolutions were meant to be revised and expanded.

Inspirational Quotes

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