How to Lose 75 Pounds

One of the first steps to long-term weight loss is setting a goal for yourself. Some people prefer counting pounds, while others prefer to focus on pant size or even inches lost. Since your goal is to lose 75 pounds, you're already one step ahead of the game. The remaining steps require a bit more time, patience and hard work, but with diligence and an eye set on the end goal, the rest is just working toward that goal.

Things You'll Need

• Paper
• Pen
• Healthy food
• Journal

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Instructions

• 1

  Write your goal down on a piece of paper and post it somewhere you will see it on a regular basis. Some like to hang it on a bulletin board in the office or bedroom while others prefer the refrigerator or desk. Seeing your goal every day will remind you what you're working toward and keep you on track.

• 2

  Break your goal down into realistic mini-goals. Every person's body is different, so the weight you can lose each week or month varies for everyone. Start with something simple, such as losing three pounds by week one, or lose 10 pounds by the end of month one. That 75 goal may seem a bit daunting, so breaking it down and meeting smaller goals over time will make your mission seem more possible.

• 3

  Eat healthily. It sounds cliche, but it's cliche for a reason: Healthy diets work. Remember, this isn't something that you'll go off of after you lose the weight. A healthy diet is something you'll abide by for the rest of your life. In other words, this is a lifestyle change, not a six-month starvation streak. Consult your doctor for a diet that is best for your body, and when in doubt, eat plenty of raw fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, proteins and healthy fats.

• 4

  Set an exercise schedule and stick to it. If you prefer to work out in the privacy of your home, then use household items to work out, or purchase work out DVDs or exercise equipment. You can also sign up at a gym where you'll have access to a variety of equipment and even a pool. If you enjoy the outdoors, go on morning or evening jogs, and take your pet to the park or your baby for a stroll.

• 5

  Record all your food intake and exercises. Write down what foods you eat, their caloric content and when you ate. Also write down what day you exercised, how long you exercised and what kind of exercise you did. When you have a good or poor week, review your log and see what went well or what went wrong. Recording these things will also hold you accountable.

• 6

  Allow yourself breaks. Several pieces of dark chocolate or a few days of rest from the treadmill can reinvigorate you. It's okay to take a break or eat something tasty; just record it in your log and get ready for tomorrow to get back on track.