How to Activate a Weight Loss Program

Many people want to shed unwanted pounds quickly. There are countless diets and exercise programs to choose from and implementing them can be close to impossible. There are many obstacles to overcome such as time restraints, expense of gyms or exercise equipment, and lack of preparation and knowledge about nutrition and exercising. The key to weight loss is burning more calories than you consume.

Instructions

• 1

  Prepare for your weight loss program. Research nutrition and exercise information to assist in designing an eating plan and an exercise program. Set a specific weight loss goal in mind. This will help you to stay on track rather than if you just want to "lose weight." You can use a prefab meal program like Weight Watchers or you can design it yourself. Eating plans need to include a balanced diet. For exercise, you can join a gym, buy a piece of equipment for your home or use DVDs. Beware of any medical conditions that you have. You need to pick the meal program and exercise program that work for you.

• 2

  Journal your eating and exercise habits for a week or two. This will help you to identify any bad habits that you may have. Late night eating, unhealthy snacking, exercise that doesn't raise your heart rate, and eating when you're stressed are all examples of bad habits that you should be looking for. After you identify these bad habits, you can avoid them and create solutions. An example solution for late night snacking would be to have vegetables ready to eat instead of a high-calorie junk food snack.

• 3

  Shop for your eating plan. Have healthy meals and snacks available for you. Eliminate high-calorie junk food pitfalls that can lure you. If the junk food isn't readily available to you, you're less likely to eat it. Prepare for your exercise program. Have all the materials --- including workout clothes, weights and membership --- ready for you to begin.

• 4

  Start your weight loss plan. Pick a day and begin your weight loss. Track your progress throughout by weighing yourself and measuring your waist, hips or thighs. If you get off track, just get back on as soon as possible. Everyone gets off track now and again. Be aware of your pitfalls and implement your solutions if you find yourself falling back into them.