Who Said Dieting Was Difficult?

On a daily basis images of the perfect body are shoved in our faces provoking us to scurry to the nearest gym and sign a contract that requires us to dish out thirty bucks a month on a membership we hardly intend to use and this is among many other failed attempts to shed those unwanted pounds. But that's okay because the good part about this is that you have the will to make that change and because you have that will I am going to let you in on a few secrets today.

I will boldly say that it is not as hard as you think. If you ask any expert on the matter they will tell you that good old fashion diet and exercise is the key and I agree but I think the first thing you must absolutely know before you dive into that exciting world of dieting is how your own body works. Why? Because your body may respond differently than another person's body. The key component is metabolism. If you except that your body cannot tolerate a few cheeseburgers every week but his can, then you have taken another major step towards your goal. Not difficult right? Well let me break it down even further.

Cutting A Few Calories

Any self-respecting dietitian will tell you that you don't have to give up your favorite foods when it comes to shedding those pounds. Don't believe me? Check it out yourself. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the idea of giving up those favorite foods is overly simplistic and may actually set you up for failure. The academy conducted a study in which 82 percent of adults whom were questioned expressed that they would not give up their favorite foods for healthier eating. Brian Miller, a registered dietitian in Fort Collins, Colorado says, "You have to learn to work what you enjoy into your diet. For instance, I grew up on pizza and I still incorporate it into my life. My wife and I have a 4-year-old boy and pizza is our Friday night special. We order it in, make it ourselves, or go out for it, but we have it," he says.

So there you have it from the experts themselves but I won't say I told you so because I'm here to help you. So now that you know you don't have to give up your favorite foods your next questions are probably "When can I eat my favorite foods and how do I incorporate my favorite foods into my diet?" Well, first you need to understand the basics. One pound of fat is equal to 3,500 calories. By merely cutting 500 calories through simple dietary and exercise adjustments it has been proven that you can lose about one pound every week. And quite frankly I wouldn't even consider this a diet, more just a permanent lifestyle change.

It's Okay To Splurge

Nothing irks me more than someone who loses a lot of weight and feels as if they can tell everyone else what they should and shouldn't eat. They absolutely can not stand to consume a single carb. Well, great. We're happy that you lost your weight. Bravo! But don't judge me by what I eat, especially when I've spent all week drinking water, eating healthy, and exercising. It must be sad to never live outside the box a little. What has totally worked for my family is eating healthy throughout the week and allowing ourselves one or two days to splurge on the foods that we really enjoy. It's a great way to not only reward yourself but to also keep yourself motivated knowing that if you do everything you're suppose to do for five or six days at least one day out of the week you can indulge in a pint of Ben and Jerry's or scarf down that delicious double bacon cheeseburger you've been salivating over all week. There's no harm in it people and don't let anyone tell you differently.

Healthy Eating Is A Lifestyle

It is important to keep healthy snacks accessible if you're on the go a lot. If you don't it is a surefire way to end up at your closest McDonald's or Burger King. Fighting hunger is always fighting a losing battle. Try snacking on fruit, peanut butter and crackers, nuts, low-fat yogurt, some type of trail mix and things of that nature to keep that metabolism firing away. If you plan on exercising it is important that you eat a light breakfast or snack before. Exercising builds up a hefty appetite so you want to negate that as much as you can.

Try combining some protein and a few carbohydrates for example almonds and low-fat cheese, yogurt or hard-boiled eggs and fruit, apples or bananas with peanut butter. Get in the habit of eating tasty salads with less creamy dressings and cheese. Grilling or baking in my opinion is just as good or even better than frying foods. Instead of drenching your chicken in egg and flour try adding a little seasoning and throwing it on the grill. Not only is it healthier but you won't believe how delicious that smoky taste can be! If the weather doesn't permit, no problem. The oven serves as a good alternative.

The point here is to tweak your diet slightly. Give it a shot and you will be amazed at the results. If you're looking for a quick fix then of course there are pills and shots available and I do believe in getting a boost every now and then but ultimately it all falls back on how you maintain a healthy lifestyle. Why lose thirty pounds just to gain it back a year later. Changing your lifestyle is a guaranteed way to keep those pesky pounds from ever coming back. And don't forget you still get to splurge on your favorite foods, just not as much! So make that change right now. What do you have to lose?... I know! Those pounds!