Weight Loss Plans – Planning for Success!

If you are ready to begin your weight loss plans, you need to know where it is you want to end up at. You will have a better chance of success if you know what weight you want to finally arrive at. Figuring out the best weight you should be at now should be based on your age and height. There are programs that can calculate that for you. They take several factors into consideration and will arrive at an average weight suited to you.

So, what weight should you be?

You can find that out at the link here: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm

Another thing to do when you begin your weight loss plan is to take measurements of your body so you can keep track of your progress. It is a good way to know how far you are getting when you know where you started. Keeping track gives you the figures needed to see progress and gives you that extra incentive to see that your plan is working.

Here Is What Should Be Included In The Measurement

The Date: _____________________________

Height: _______________________________

Current Weight: ________________________

Bust (women): _________________________

Waist around the belly button: _____________

Hips: _________________________________

Thighs: _______________________________

Right upper arm: ________________________

Left upper arm: _________________________

Purchase a notebook to keep your measurements in and by taking your measurements every month it will help you stay focused on your goal. It is also a good idea to only weigh yourself every two weeks, once a week if you absolutely have to. This way you can avoid being discouraged with any weight fluctuations that will happen because your body is starting to change and you won’t lose the same amount of weight every week.

By setting weight loss plans and setting goals for yourself you now have a purpose, a plan of action that sets out the steps you need to achieve what it is you are wanting to attain, a blueprint to successful weight loss.

What goal would motivate you the longest?

My weight lose goal is to lose 100 pounds in 12 months.

Or…

By December 31st 2010 I will weigh 120 pounds.

Whichever you decide, in order to achieve the 100 pound weight loss or to weigh 120 pounds, you will need to lose at least 2 pounds per week over the next 12 months.

You will now need to create smaller goals to help you lose the 100 pounds you are wanting to. In order to achieve that amount you will need to remember that it will take one pound at a time. Now is the time to get down to business and get detailed and specific on how you are going to achieve what you have set in your weight loss plans. Making your overall goal achievable helps to see your progress and where you are headed. By focusing on losing 2 pounds every week you will soon realize that each pound of weight loss is getting you to your ultimate goal. That 2 pounds on a weekly basis is much easier to focus on than 100 pounds in a year don’t you think?

Whatever you do, don’t kill yourself with excessive calorie reduction and excess exercise because what will happen is you will find yourself losing over 5 pounds per week, but that weight will be water and some desperately needed lean muscle tissue. What that means is that a good part of that weight loss will return almost overnight. It is better to follow a permanent, healthy, realistic weight loss goal of 1 to 2 pound per week.

You need to now focus on your diet exercise so that you can start to lose that 2 pounds a week to make your weight loss plans a success.

What you need to determine is what exercise program you will need to get started with. Two of the most helpful in losing weight is cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Cardio exercise can be a simple jog outdoors, a run on the treadmill, or even performing aerobics along to a video. Strength training includes weight lifting, as well as activities like pushups, pull-ups, and crunches. It’s up to you to find the right mix of exercises that will challenge you and keep you motivated.

With regards to your diet plan a good suggestion is to eat smaller meals throughout the day. Eating smaller meals can be enjoyable if you make those meals nutritious and delicious. After all, who wouldn’t want to eat six times a day instead of only three? Giving your body smaller meals to process more frequently throughout the day keeps the digestive system active and prevents an excess of calories from building up.

These small “meals” do not have to be full meals at all. There are a number of healthy snacks you can keep on hand to give you a boost of a few hundred calories. Dividing your existing portions into several meals is also a good way to keep eating a steady flow of calories throughout the day. For example, a half of a tuna sandwich and a piece of fruit is around 400 calories, the perfect size for a quick midday snack.

Increasing physical activity and eating smaller meals throughout the day will help to boost your body’s metabolism. This may required a bit of a lifestyle change if you are not used to it, but they can be done long-term if worked in gradually as a part of living a healthier life.

Remember, by starting slow and not expecting massive weight loss too soon, you will get to that final weight loss goal, no matter what it is. Don’t set your goals to high, you want them to be achievable so you will stick to your weight loss plans.

To Your Fitness and Weight Loss Success…..Cheers!

For help in finding that right weight loss plan for you…..visit our “Top Diet/Weight Loss Plans” section.