Managing the Phases of Weight Loss

What happens when someone doesn't know how to independently lose weight? They Google "weight loss." The results show different websites explaining step-by-step instructions on how to eat specific amounts of calories during a certain time of day, exercise after a certain amount of food had digested for a specific period of time, and forbid food intake during certain times of the day or night and…are you still paying attention? After reading that, how motivated are you to still lose weight?

The bottom line with any diet plan is that the reason why they don't work is because they do not fit the average person's lifestyle. People have their career, a family to support, money to make, and piles of other tasks to complete everyday. In this world, there is very little room to squeeze in diet and exercise.

With that, my weight management series cuts out the excess and gives you simple, realistic information you need to lose weight permanently. If you are ready to create a weight loss plan that fits your lifestyle, please read these articles before continuing:http://www.simplyfamilymagazine.com/online/author/simply-geneva/. If you already have a plan in mind and do not know what to expect during weight loss the following explains what to expect when you lose weight permanently.

1. Initial Phase:

If you're losing more than 20 pounds: Do you recall "The Biggest Loser" television show? During the first weeks of healthy eating and exercise participants lost five to 10 pounds in one week! In later weeks, participants would break down and get frustrated because they only lost a pound to two pounds. This is because during the initial weight loss phase, they shed excess water weight. Therefore, in the early stages of weight loss, you will lose some fat but mostly water weight.

If you're losing less than 20 pounds: When losing less than 20 pounds the body will be anything but forgiving to shed the last five to 10 pounds. This is because the human body naturally preserves fat. Males store less fat than females because females reproduce, and need fat to ensure they can carry the pregnancy to term. Understand you may initially lose 1 pound a week and it will slow to half a pound or even plateau. The importance is to never give up! Consistently stick to healthy eating and exercise and I promise the weight will come off. In a worst-case scenario some people plateau for 6 weeks but because they stuck with their plan they eventually lose their last five pounds.

2. Middle phase:

In the middle phase the first areas that shrink are the areas you won't notice, which means the first pounds you packed on will come off last. Look for weight loss in the unexpected areas such as feet, ankles, wrists, forearms, calves, and neck. It is later and often last that the hips, belly, upper arms, and thighs shrink to your desired size.

3. Maintenance Phase:

There may be worry or frustration with any slight increase in weight. However, expect to see weight increases of up to six pounds, and don't lose faith. Common reasons are eating excess salt, not drinking enough water, lack of sleep, or eating a heavy meal late at night. In the maintenance phase weigh yourself once a week and, if necessary, adjust your diet to maintain your new weight. If you do not know how to do this, read my article about adjusting calories:http://www.simplyfamilymagazine.com/online/2012/01/to-lose-weight-this-new-year-burn-it-and-cut-it-to-drop-it/

On a personal note, I always ask myself, "Could I maintain this action for life?" that question always keeps me on track with my healthy lifestyle. I always listen to hunger signals and stay on top of hydration, sleep, and rest. I also stick to consistent healthy eating and exercise. Keep reading my weight loss articles, stay positive and committed, and I promise you will reach your weight loss goals!

Start a Weight Loss Blog to Lose Weight

Starting a weight loss blog can be a successful way to help you lose more weight because it keeps you accountable to your journey. With an audience for your weight loss journey you will feel more motivated to succeed.

If you want to start your own weight loss blog then keep reading for tips to create your own blog that will propel you to weight loss success!

Start your own blog. You can start a blogger or wordpress blog for free, or you can learn how to start your own weight loss blog on a hosted domain. Having your own website where you write about your struggles and successes will motivate you to keep going. It really doesn't take long to get your blog up and running.

Set your goals. Set some mini and long term goals for your weight loss journey. It you can set goals then you will have something to work towards and something to chronicle on your blog. You can write about working toward the goals then celebrate on your blog when you meet them.

Show your progress. You can show your progress through photos that you post on your blog. You shouldn't be shy about posting pictures or embarrassed either. Google other weight loss blog and you will see many people post their weight loss progress pictures online and use them to motivate themselves and others.

Blog your food and workouts. For many people it helps to keep a daily food diary on your blog. You can keep track of everything you eat on the blog to help you with your weight loss efforts. You can also keep track of the workouts you do so you can keep yourself motivated to exercise.

Find an audience for your blog. The whole point of your blog is to have people reading your blog to keep you accountable and motivated. Tell your family and friends about your blog so they can read it. You can also connect with other weight loss bloggers through commenting on their blogs. These people will give you a world of support once you start interacting.

Keep blogging. Once you start your blog don't just let it go on without updating. Try to write as often as you can, every day if you have the time. The more you write the more you will help yourself and your readers as blogging becomes a very important part of your weight loss journey.

Blog instead of eating. Blogging can be a great hobby that can fill in the times when you feel like eating but don't need to. You can always write in your blog about what you are feeling and why, which can help keep you from eating and help you learn about yourself. The more you do it the more you will be able to turn to blogging instead of eating.

There are many reasons why writing a weight loss blog might help you actually lose weight. You might also want to consider creating weight loss video blogs on YouTube.

Weight Loss Tips

Trying to lose weight can sometimes be challenging for people. Whether you are trying to lose baby weight or just a little weight, here are some 5 tips to help you.

1. Walking: Walking when the weather's nice is a super-easy way to keep fit, go for a walk around your neighborhood. No sidewalks? No problem! Trade your power mower for a push version, or go for a stroll around the mall. Take the stairs every chance you get, or sign up for charity walks. There are many ways you can take walks even if you don't have sidewalks. 
2. Dancing: Dancing is a great way to lose weight and also stay fit! And a great way to just have fun. You can sign up for dance classes or zumba fitness at your local dance studio. There are lots of studios that offers dance class for a certain group of age and different types of dance. Salsa, jazz, hip-hop, and even tap. 
3. Tune In, Tone Up: The American Heart Association knows what we love: television. And they also know we need to get more exercise. So why not combine the two, they ask? Try dancing to the music when you tune into your favorite music show, or practice some stress-relieving cardio boxing when your least favorite reality contestant is on camera. During commercials pedal your stationery bike, walk the treadmill, or slip in a little strength training doing bicep curls with cans of your favorite fizzy beverage as weights. Or get inspired to really focus: Put in a high-energy exercise DVD and get motivated by the pros onscreen. It doesn't matter exactly what you do, so long as you're up and active. Aim for at least 15 minutes, says the AHA. But who knows? If you get really engrossed, you just might outlast the last survivor.
4. Green Tea: Studies show you can burn 35-to-43% more fat during the day when you drink 3-to-5 cups of green tea but, If you do not have time to make your own green tea then you can simply take a green tea diet pill supplement. The green tea fat burner has great reviews and has shown to help those who take it lose weight fast and also give a little pep in their step. From my personal view of using this, I'd recommend it. It gives you energy and helps you burn the fat in a healthy way.
5. Multivitamins: Research shows that taking your vitamins daily helps you maintain your weight and it also helps reduce your appetite while you're on a weight loss diet plan and get this. When researchers asked over 500 men & women if they took multivitamins daily - the men & women that did take multivitamins daily had lower bodyweights & less body fat and in another research study. 45 overweight people who didn't use multivitamins were put on a weight loss diet and given multivitamins and at the end of the 15-week study - everybody in the study lost weight mainly because they were on a weight loss diet but the multivitamins probably helped them stay on the diet longer by reducing their appetites and If you don't get the right amount of nutrients - your body will make you hungry by increasing your appetite so you'll eat more (and probably gain weight) to get the nutrients you need and taking multivitamins prevents this.

There are a lot of weight loss tips that can help you lose that nagging weight you've been attempting to lose or been annoyed with. If you are 40+, talk to your doctor about what exercises you should be doing to help you get into shape. And remember, no matter how tempted you may be, skipping meals and starving yourself is never the way to go about losing weight.