Lose weight fast, difficulty: easy

Introduction
How do you lose weight fast? All too often those extra pounds catch us when we least expect it. That perfect dress doesn't look so perfect. Last night's basketball game felt like a marathon. A couple extra pounds feels like so much more. So, you want to lose weight for the company picnic? An upcoming anniversary? Or maybe just for you? Let's get to it!

A short, potent grocery list
Willpower
Simple calorie counter
Exercise you will commit to
Basic weights


Got it? Good!

Step one: Eating habits

Take a look at what you are eating. Americans, for example, tend to eat three large meals with larger than needed portions. Instead of doing this, eat six or eight small meals a day. This makes it much easier for your body to be able to metabolize the food intake. This also makes it so that your metabolism is stimulated more often. A granola bar is a great idea for a quick and simple midday meal at work, home or on the go.

Step two: Calorie intake

Assess the amount of calories you eat each day and it's easy to make a weight loss goal. For example, in order to lose 10 pounds you will have to cut your caloric intake by about 600 calories.

IMPORTANT: Do this wisely!

Removing empty calories (calories with little or no "real energy" like soda) and high fat items (fast food) is the safest and healthiest way to attack most diets. Now use (or get) that calorie counter and live up to your goal! Surprisingly, those 600 calories are knocked out as easily as dropping 2 cans of soda and a candy bar!

Step three: Burn more

Use exercise to help increase your metabolism and burn calories. This can be done in two great ways. First of all start by lifting weights. This goes for the guys and the gals. Weights are a wonderful way to lift off calories, while boosting your metabolism. Muscle burns more calories than fat too! So it's both a short term (daily calories burned) and long term (higher metabolism) bonus!

Another way that is great to combine with weights is cardio. Any exercise program that includes a cardio process is great for increasing the metabolism and eating up calories. This can be something as simple as walking a few stairs, riding a bike, mowing a lawn, any activity that gets your heart rate pumping.

Step four: Consistency

Here's where your willpower comes in. If you need to get some support, because so often support is the key, have a buddy join you. This will help to keep both of you going! IF you do not have someone who wants to lose weight with you, have someone you can talk to when the urge to eat and give up comes around.

Step five: Earn a treat

Set up a weekly reward, but make it reasonable. You remember me mentioning how easy it is to cut out that candy bar, right? Well, pick your favorite candy bar (not the KING SIZE) and on Saturday take a walk to the grocery store (or around the mall) and pick one up. It's remarkably satisfying to munch a quick treat on one of your daily walks. Even better...see if you can eat just half. It will be even more satisfying, believe me. Eat it slowly. Savor. Sike yourself up for next week!

This will help you to feel free to choose, and feel like you are rewarded for your hard work.

Step six: Accountability

You're doing this for yourself. Remember that. Or maybe you're doing this for your kids, or any number of reasons. Good for you. Prove to yourself on a regular basis that you can do it. You can!

Watching your weight on a regular basis helps to keep you conscientious of your progress and will help to make sure you can lose the weight faster. Our bodies will get to a comfortable plateau. When you reach yours, maintain that by checking your weight on a weekly basis.

Step seven: Family

Often family is the closest and most capable of helping us keep ourselves honest. Also, get them involved. All to often, if we are eating poorly and gaining weight, so is our family. Decrease the foods for the entire family that are unhealthy and high in calories. Then you can bring good healthy fresh food into the house that allows for all the family to get healthy together. Also, have the entire family exercise together. Take family walks, go swimming together, go hiking together. Have fun!

Overall tips and warnings

Don't let up, never give up and never surrender. It is never ok to give up on your health. The body has so many great things it can do if it is kept in good condition. Dieting and exercise is the main key to preventing so many illnesses and diseases.

Get a partner. Losing weight as a team is easier than doing it alone.
Maintain your goal weight within 5 pounds.
Do not starve yourself. This simply results in illness, and the gaining of weight all over again as soon as you begin to eat.

Write down your goals, calendar them and get to it! Good luck!