For this first and very important chapter we will discuss a few key things in order for you to really succeed at what you’re doing. With these essentials cleared up you will have a clearer vision of where you are going and most importantly, how to get there. These things are:
1. How Do I Know I am Ready?
2. When Do I Start?
3. What Will Happen If I Don’t Succeed?
Let’s start off with the first issue. You should only start when you are absolutely convinced that you are doing this for yourself. Don’t do it because someone close to you is pushing you. You will be a lot less motivated this way and also a lot more frustrated. When you are doing this for yourself you will be more inclined to do the proper research and will also be more likely to put all of your heart and resources into it, whether it be emotional, physical or financial.
While it is important to care about what others think it shouldn’t be your primary objective. You must do this out of respect for yourself and then for others. When it boils down to it, you are the one who has to see yourself everyday. In other words, as long as you are happy with your appearance that is all that should matter.
Secondly, when do you start? Again, start when you are ready. You must be in the proper frame of mind in order to begin this process, as it demands a clear head. If you have failed at another approach, take awhile off and wait until you think you can handle it. There is no point running from one program to another, this only leads to confusion and burnout.
And last but not least, what if you fail? The key idea is to learn from your mistakes. Remember where you think you went wrong and do your best to avoid repeating it. Everyone is different and through trial and error you will find what works the best for you.
I am not saying that everything you try won’t work. That would be silly! You can think positive and be assured that any sincere efforts you put into this endeavor will not be in vain. There will always be valuable life lessons you can grab when attempting to do something. In reality, anything you try to improve yourself will be met with results of some kind. You just want to
find that perfect weight loss window that’s all!
That’s why this ebook is such a great aid! If you follow the guidelines written throughout these chapters you will be met with success! To start off we must first eliminate what not to do when contemplating and undertaking a weight loss program. Then you will more likely be left with what you can do in order to be successful.
Weight Loss Myths
Below I have compiled a list of common myths that many people believe which can seriously hurt your progress and your state of mind. In other words you will become discouraged when you don’t see results!
Here they are:
• Spot Reduction. There is just simply no such thing. No matter how many crunches you perform you will not get a flatter stomach until you incorporate proper eating habits and some kind of low intensity aerobic activity.
• Starches are fattening. Things like bread, rice and pasta won’t make you fat. It is what you put on them that will hurt you. Things like butter and oils. Potatoes and their companions are actually a good source of carbohydrates, which is the main fuel source for the body.
• You have to stop eating the foods you enjoy. The real issue here is not the food itself but rather how much and when. The longer you go without something the more likely you are to crave it and you will end up losing the battle. This often leads to discouragement.
• The starvation effect. Cabbage soup doesn’t sound bad for a few days but how about a month? Or worse yet, how about for life? And when you do eat ‘normal’ foods again…watch out! The more sensible way is to make slow changes in your eating habits until you see results and then adjust accordingly.
• Missing meals is a better way to lose weight. On the contrary. Studies reveal that people who miss breakfast tend to be heavier than those who
don’t. When you skip a meal you are more likely to eat more the nexttime.
• Becoming a vegetarian will guarantee weight loss. Things such as cheese and nuts can be just as fattening as animal products. Also, many ’substitute’ by including things such as chocolate bars and chips. As with any way of eating you have to be just as careful.
• If it’s ‘fat-free’ it’s good. This isn’t always true. You have to check labels because in some products the fat is lower but the calories are still
quite high. Some manufacturers replace the absence of fat with things like sugar to help improve the taste resulting in a higher caloric content.
• One diet will work for everyone. If this were true there would only be one diet. Everyone is different and has different needs. The true plansare the ones that show you how to discover this yourself through knowledge, questioning, experimentation and application.
• Weighing yourself everyday. You will only become discouraged. Your body weight fluctuates from day to day due to different variables such ashormonal changes and fluid retention. It’s best to weigh yourself once a week.
• Eating fat will make you fat. Of course if you eat too much fat you will gain weight but the same also applies to protein and carbohydrates.Your body actually needs fat for certain functions of the body. With this said it still is wise to keep your fat lower than the remaining two (proteinand carbs) which shouldn’t be a problem.
• If your parents are overweight you will be too. While some of this is true it is only a small amount at most. It is mostly a persons habits resulting from how they were raised by their parents that cause the problems. With enough education and determination it is possible to meet your goals!
There! Once you have those things cleared up you can start to concentrate on your program. By downloading this ebook you have displayed more than the desire to change, you did something about it. The first step in the right direction! View today as a contemplation day. Eat ‘freely’ today but start to really focus on your goals…how you will feel once you achieve them. Start to get excited!
Key points
- Do this for yourself and not others. It will be easier on you
- Your primary objective should be what you think of yourself and not
what others think
- Start when you are ready in order to be in the proper frame of mind
- Learn from your mistakes, don’t be discouraged, and start over
- All sincere efforts will be rewarded
- Study the myths we went over carefully so you will remember what
to avoid!
A strong focus on maintenance and how to STAY THERE!
Are you overwhelmed by the overload of information concerning dieting and weight loss? Everywhere you turn you find an article or an advertisement promising you amazing results. Then why do 95% (yes, that’s not a typo) of people who try to lose weight fail?
The number one reason is that most don’t know where to begin. Many people try to learn how to run before they learn how to walk. You must have a solid foundation in order to be met with success. All the ‘hot tips’ in the world won’t help you until you start from the ground up, that’s a fact!
