Why Your Weight Loss Plan Is Failing

My journey on the weight loss path has been a learning experience to say the least. And like a lot of people, I've attempted numerous solutions to becoming healthier. Listing all of them would only appear to remind me of my failures. Or would it? Lately, I've started to realize that my previous weight loss failures really are not failures at all. They are only lessons that have been learned regarding my body and how it operates. And it isn't until we really know our bodies, that we can know the best way to get it at its healthiest.

Over the years, numerous theories regarding weight loss have come and gone, but it seems that there is only one absolute when it comes to individual bodies and the ability to shed unwanted weight. It is the simple equation of calories taken into the body verses calories expended. One must burn more calories than what he or she is taking in to lose weight. How this is achieved, is where the variables come in. And there are a lot of variables. So many so, that it would be impossible to list them all. This is where taking your previous "failures" if you will, comes in.

I suggest taking these "failed" diets as learning lessons. Take the time to really reflect on which methods worked and which didn't. More importantly, ask yourself why they didn't. Were you constantly hungry? Was it too costly? Perhaps it was inconvenient. Were the meals unappealing or tasteless? How did you feel while on the program? Did you lose energy? Perhaps you felt dizzy. You see, while our intentions may be admirable and even realistic, our methods for reaching that goal may be unrealistic.

For instance, if you are on a tight budget and sign up for a program that costs $500 dollars a month just because they had a $50 special, that's not being realistic. If you order the Insanity Workout and can't walk up a flight of stairs, that's not realistic. If preparing your meals means spending hours in the kitchen and you barely have time to take a shower every day, that's not realistic.

Being realistic means researching what would work best for you and commit to it. Set a realistic weight goal and date. Wanting to lose 100 lbs in 2 months is hardly realistic for the average person. Just because a couple people have done it does not mean you can or should. Since the point of losing weight is to BE healthy, crash diets should be used in moderation and only for short periods of time.

So ask yourself:
Can I afford this? Maybe finding a less expensive alternative is for you.
Do I have the time to prepare the meals? Prepackaged programs are in nearly every grocery store.
Do you have a large appetite? Fasts may not work for you.
Exercise? Start slow and with small lifestyle changes if you are uncomfortable joining a class. Parking your car further, walking DOWN the stairs, and replacing your office chair with a balance ball are just a few.

Once you have selected a program for your lifestyle, find a support group or buddy. If no person is close, there are a lot of groups online with thousands of people in similar situations who are either currently going through it or have succeeded in it.

Give yourself an incentive. Something just for YOU and NOT food related....no cake or dinner at a swanky restaurant. Maybe a day at the spa, complete with massage, mud bath and beauty treatments. Or something you've always wanted to do, but were too unhealthy or self conscious to do. Skydiving? Rock climbing? Zip lining the rainforest? Post pictures of your goal on the frig. Get updates on your phone and start a savings account for that reward. Try to calculate your weight loss goal date and how much you need to put in the savings every day/week so when you reach your goal, you'll have the money needed.

Stick to it, hang in there and remember that you can do whatever you set your mind and heart to do. It may not always be easy, but it WILL be well worth it. Why? Because you are well worth it. - Angelica Mordant

Water And Weight Loss

Most people understand that water is important for keeping the body healthy and hydrated. But can it actually help in losing weight? It seems so and for several reasons.

First of all, when you drink a little water before eating, say 8 oz, a feeling of fullness is created causing you to eat less. Of course eating less when combined with with exercise helps to burn excess calories which will result in weight loss. It also helps to eat foods that are higher in water content such as carrots, broccoli, grapefruit, yogurt and apples. These foods help to create a feeling of fullness in themselves while helping to keep you hydrated.

Water also help to keep the joints and muscles lubricated which is necessary to burn calories and help reduce stiffness of the joints and muscles after exercise. If your muscles are dehydrated they don't burn calories as efficiently. In fact, when the body is dehydrated, it goes into a “water starvation” mode, holding on to every bit of water that it can. It's called water retention and it's what gives you that puffy or swollen look. Once the body is receiving enough water, it knows that there is a plentiful supply and begins to function properly by flushing toxins through urine and sweat. Also the joints become lubricated which can help during your workout. It's not uncommon to lose five pounds the first week of drinking adequate amounts of water. Of course that weight is mostly water, but who wants to hold on to all those toxins?

How much water should we be taking in? For an average person, 8-9 8oz glasses of ice cold water is recommended in addition to the water that consumed through foods. This should be taken in throughout the day to keep a steady level of hydration. For athletes, those who have long workout routines or individuals who are very overweight, more is recommended. This is because it takes more to maintain a healthy level of hydration than an average person. It's also not a good idea not to wait until you are thirsty because by the time you feel thirsty, the body has already begun to dehydrate. This could mean that it would take more than a glass or two of water to get back to a healthy level of hydration.

There are a lot of people who do not like the taste of water. If that is the case, there are a couple things to try. First would be to try spring water. Since waters do indeed have different flavors, try several different types. I recommend ice cold spring water. If taste is still an issue, try squeezing a little lemon or lime juice to add a touch of flavor. When you think that you really are doing the best for your body, it becomes something you enjoy.