7 important Weight-Loss steps!

As I watch my little grandsons begin to grow up--they are both under a year old--I realize they will be walking soon.  They will be taking steps both literally and figuratively.  It makes me realize that even as a grandpa--wow what a strange concept for me--I need to take steps whenever I want to get places.  It may be simply to the fridge for a snack or it may be steps in building a better relationship with my beautiful wife.  We all need to take steps to succeed at anything.  It is the same with weight-loss, so I will share 7 steps that helped me to lose the weight that I needed to.

Weight-Loss Step #1: Realistic GoalsThe biggest mistake I made initially was to set unrealistic weight-loss goals for myself.  I should have asked myself two simple questions.  First, what do I want to achieve from this weight-loss program?  Next, how much weight do I want to lose in a day, a week or a month?   Remember that each small goal you achieve will propel you closer to your final destination.  When I did this I found joy in the achievement of each small step.  It was sort of like landings on a giant stair case.  When I thought about climbing those stairs all at once it was overwhelming, but when I said to myself, just make it to the first landing, I found I could do that.  When I set unrealistic goals, I was only frustrated and disappointed when they were not achieved, even when I was making significant progress in my weight-loss goals.

Weight-Loss Step #2: Preparation is the KeyAfter my initial failure, I realized that I needed to prepare for my weight-loss journey. Now was the time to start a new lifestyle and start getting rid of junk food and colas in the refrigerator, those puddings, and those chocolates I stashed in my drawer! (By the way never stash chocolates in your drawer if your bedroom is on the second story of your house and gets quite hot during the day.)  I made a new list of the foods that I needed and I started stocking up on them in large quantities.  I included vegetables, fruits, healthy snacks, mineral waters and vitamins and minerals supplements I may need.  I found that Calcium Chondroitin and Vitamin B helped stabilize my blood sugar levels and helped me control my cravings.

Weight-Loss Step #3: Reward systemI give myself a pat on the back by creating a reward system for my weight-loss program. For instance, I told myself that I would buy more memory for my PC when I reached my first goal; you could make it as simple as a new CD or even a new handbag if you reach a certain point in your weight-loss efforts.

Weight-Loss Step #4: Healthy BreakfastThis is the most important meal that I knew I should never miss and yet, up until now,  I usually skipped it because it was the easiest to skip.  Unfortunately, skipping breakfast meant that I was programming my brain to think that I was starved and deprived.  This caused me to feel lethargic and when the pressure was too much, I would cave in to an eating binge. It was sheer suicide to my weight-loss program!   Besides that, breakfast revs up the body's metabolism giving you a longer calorie burn through out the day.

Weight-Loss Step #5: Exercise I knew I needed to enhance the effects and boost the rate of my weight-loss, and exercise was the key to achieving this goal.  I got bored very quickly with just exercises like walking on a tread-mill or jumping around in front of the TV hearing the sculpted video host repeat the same instructions and lame jokes over and over.  Yet I knew that exercise was very important for losing weight and for my health in general. No weight-loss program can be successful over the long haul without a good exercise program.  I began looking for a program that would let me burn fat and give me good cardiovascular exercise at the same time, plus it needed to be interesting.  I finally chose racquetball and golf.  No, to be honest I already loved golf but I stopped renting a golf cart and I began carrying my golf clubs on my back--believe me after 18 holes you are pretty worn out!

Weight-Loss Step #6: Sleep I knew that I needed to extinguish the wick at one end of my candle. I found out early on that when I didn't sleep well or get enough sleep my weight loss ceased.  It turns out that a normal adult needs approximately 7-8 hours of sleep a day.  This helps to keep our bodily systems working in perfect order, which is crucial to the success of your weight-loss program.  Besides that, it will help you feel better, have better control over your emotions and give you much more energy.

Weight-Loss Step #7: RelaxationThis was my favorite step.  My wife and I own a Wal-Mart resort which includes a yard hammock, an 18 foot, round, above ground pool and a trampoline.  I use the pool to float in with a diet drink in one hand and a good book in the other--sigh.  Meditation, relaxation and affirmations can help boost your confidence and make the process more enjoyable. By following these seven simple steps, I found that I started seeing results in my efforts to lose weight.  I had to be consistent and make them part of my life.  If you do the same I am confidant that  success in your weight-loss program is assured.

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