8 Weight Loss Secrets - Part 2

Here are the final four weight loss secrets continued from 8 Weight Loss Secrects - Part 1.

1. Logic

   This often escapes even the most sensible people when it comes to weight loss. Desperation often trumps any sense of logic. If something sounds too good to be true, it is. Don't let yourself fall victim to weight loss scams, the next fad diet or what a famous TV personality said this week.

2. Patience

   It's human nature to want results yesterday, but one week of exercise and reducing portions isn't going to make up for months or years of unhealthy habits. Be patient with yourself and your progress. Take it one day at a time and remind yourself that even if you don't reach your initial goal within a set period of time, you're far better off than you were before you started. Celebrate your successes, even the small ones. Patience plays a big role in #4 as well.

3. Exercise Progression

   You go from sporadic workouts or hitting it hard on the weekends to 5-6 days of working out. Combine this increased exercise regimen with a dramatic calorie reduction and you're going to be left feeling tired, sore and helpless. Fight the tendency to go all-or-nothing and start with 2-3 days of exercise until it becomes a routine. Your body will thank you for this. As you progress and become more comfortable, add 1 day per week at a time. Each time you add a day, go at least 4-6 weeks before increasing days or length of your workouts.

4. Enjoying Eating AND Exercise

   Don't love spending hours on a treadmill or pumping iron? That's ok! Look for alternative ways to be more active without traditional forms of exercise. Take a dance or water aerobics class, go mall walking, take a hike or check out exercise videos from your library. If you don't enjoy exercise, chances are you won't stick with it long enough to reach your goals. Keep exploring options until you find something you can at least tolerate. You might not love to exercise, but it shouldn't feel like torture.

   The same goes for eating. Eating is meant to be enjoyed (it's why we have taste-buds!). Don't waste your calories on foods you don't enjoy eating. If you don't like oatmeal, don't try to choke it down just because it's healthy. Choose another healthy option that you like, such as eggs and fruit, yogurt with nuts or toast with peanut butter. Healthy can taste good and it should be enjoyable.