How to Lose 10 Pounds – Without Diets, Pills and Other Dumb Stuff

Photo Credit: DanielaVladimirova on Flickr.com

If you’ve made the most famous New Year’s Resolution of all or are just ready to lose 10 pounds then I’ve got a rock-solid, guaranteed-success game plan for you. I’ll start by telling you that weight loss and fitness is not rocket-science, therefore it doesn’t require anything too complicated. It just simply requires you to accept this education, get sweaty and show discipline at the table. It does NOT require pills, shakes, diets, cleanses or any other sort of nonsense snake oil scam artists push on you. They just want your money and you’ll just end up frustrated. Keep your money and follow my gimmick-free expert advice; by doing so,  you’ll be 10 pounds down in no time.

• Start by putting your foot down! You’ll never see success if you don’t. The difference between those who lose weight and those who just “try” is that the first group was officially sick and tired of carrying the extra weight and they were hell-bent on ditching it. When you’re fired up, you will accomplish great things. A limp-wristed approach to losing weight is an absolute recipe for failure.
• Figure out how many calories you will need and stick within that budget. Decide what your goal weight is, throw a zero on the end of that number and that’s how many calories you should consume. So if your goal weight is 145 pounds, you should aim to consume no more than 1,450 calories each day. Use a Calorie Tracker like the one from LIVESTRONG.com as a food log. Learn more about this mathematical weight loss equation here.
• Be particular about what you put in your mouth. Find foods that are high in nutrition and low on fat and calories like: produce, lean proteins, whole grains and low fat dairy products. That means – avoid the fattening, higher calories processed foods and beverages. Have high standards for you and your family!!! Greasy beef drenched in lard is not cute nor is it interesting. You can easily decide good vs. bad. Soda? Bad. Raspberries? Good. Bacon? Bad. Egg Beaters with low fat cheese and veggies? Good! You get the idea.
• STOP DRINKING YOUR CALORIES! This one is just easy. Caloric beverages can make you fat without even making you full. Stick with water or something else with minimal calories instead and yes … the alcohol has got to go. People who drink often have pudge. Even those who drink “just one glass of wine at night”. Workout to relieve stress instead. The lame wine excuse is just … lame. Also – don’t get a smoothie after you burn 400 calories. That’s just absurd. Plus – you’ve put your foot down! Banishing wine, beer and smoothies should be a no-brainer.
• Exercise often and without excuses. Hey, you want to LOOK like a fit person? Well, that requires you to ACT like a fit person! You won’t have to jump straight in to a fierce boot camp class (unless you’re capable of doing so), but you do have to get off your bum and intentionally do something to make yourself sweat profusely. Force vigorous physical activity in to your life at least five or six days a week and your body will have no choice but to respond. Make sure to include cardio, strength training, stretching and some work on balance. If you’re not putridly stinky and sweaty by the end of your workout, do more. I don’t care if you: play football, basketball, run, do Zumba, fight, cycle, swim, skip, wrestle or other. JUST DO SOMETHING!
• Make sleep a priority. Tired people are not ambitious, energetic, or disciplined in the face of brownies. Choose Zzzzz over a late night on Facebook.
• Step on the scale once a week. You have to know where you are to know where you are going. You also have to check in once a week to make sure you’re on the right track. Choose one morning each week and step on that scale naked. If you’re not losing, crank up your intensity. If you are losing … congratulate yourself with a massage or a new workout shirt.
• Stay the course! If your new habits have helped you lose 10 pounds, then keep at it. Those same exact habits will help you either lose more or maintain your newly svelte body. You must continue to eat well and sweat often if you want the benefits of fitness. Plus, you’ve worked so hard for it, why let your fabulous accomplishments disappear?
• Send us your “after” photos. We’d love to see the results of your solid fitness training and healthy eating habits!