Get In Shape And Lose Weight Without Dieting

Well done! You are reading this because you want to get in shape. You want to change your lifestyle and be on the way to a healthier new you!

If you need any more persuading that you are doing the right thing, then here are three reasons why getting into shape and losing excess weight is good for you.

* You will feel better! As soon as you begin to shape up, you will feel healthier and want to do more. You will be able to do things without getting breathless and have a whole new active lifestyle.

* You will be healthier! Everyone knows that it is not healthy to be overweight, yet many of us do not do anything about it. The extra weight we carry means that we are at greater risk of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

* You will look better! As you begin to alter your lifestyle, you will find that you are eating in a way that is healthier. Your skin will glow, your nails will be strong and your hair will shine.

Many people are put off changing their lifestyle by the diet industry. They may think that if they followed every diet around, there would not be anything that they were 'allowed' to eat, and they would be right!

Many fad diets offer great results with no effort at all. And many people on these fad diets fail or put the weight back on again because they have not made any lifestyle changes.

The good news is that with just a few changes to your current lifestyle you can lose weight, get in great shape, and enjoy sustainable weight loss. You do not need to make huge changes, just a few tweaks here and there is all that is needed for most people.

With some time and effort on your part you will be on the way to looking and feeling as you have always wanted.

To begin your lifestyle change, start keeping a food diary for one month. Make sure that your write down everything that you eat and drink each day. After the month is up, take some time to review what you have written and look for the following information.

* Are you eating regular meals?
* Do you always eat breakfast?
* Are you eating one of your favorite foods once a week rather than depriving yourself of them?
* Do you allow yourself small snacks throughout the day?
* Are you eating when you feel hungry?

You should be able to answer 'yes' to all of the above questions. If you have answered 'no' to some of them, then you need to look at the way you feel about certain foods. Do you see some foods as good and others as bad?

There are no 'bad' or 'good' foods. However, there are foods that are good for us, and some that should be reserved for treats. If you have tried to shape up and lose weight before, then you are likely to be eating too many of the 'treat' foods, and not enough of the other foods.

There is good news! You do not have to deprive yourself of the treat food. In fact, many dietitians will agree that a little of what you fancy is good for you. As long as you are not eating the treats on a daily basis in large amounts, then having a small treat once a week will not do you any harm. In fact, it will probably help you to stave off any cravings for this food.

Do not fall into the trap of feeling guilty when you have a treat! Food should never make you feel this way. Resolve to make a lifestyle change, and have a treat just once a week. If your resolve fails you on occasion, do not beat yourself up over it, just put it behind you and carry on.

Remember - you are not 'on a diet', you are changing your lifestyle, and this may take a little time.

Diets often-equal quick but temporary weight loss, whereas a lifestyle change will mean steady (often slower) but permanent weight loss.

After looking at your food diary, you may need to make some changes to the way you eat and the way you look at food. Below are some general guidelines to what constitutes a healthy eating plan. Keep this list handy, so that if you 'stray' from your lifestyle changes, it is easy to reinstate them.

* Never skip breakfast, and eat regular meals throughout the day.

* If you find that you are hungry between meals, then eat small healthy snacks to combat this. Try fresh or dried fruit.

* Ensure that you are not bored with your eating plan! Eat a variety of foods that include grains, fruit and vegetables, and protein. Make sure that they include some of the foods that you enjoy, but limit portion size of those that are high in calories.

* Check food labels and reduce the amount of salt and sugar that you consume. Eating freshly prepared food will cut these down naturally.

* Keep an eye on the amount of alcoholic drinks you consume each week - however, if you enjoy the odd drink or glass of wine, do not deprive yourself, but limit the amount. This also applies to fizzy soft drinks. Both contain 'empty' calories that could better be utilized in healthy food.

* Do not aim for a quick weight loss. It takes the body time to adjust so be patient and aim for a small weight loss each week. This gives the body time to get used to your new lifestyle and you will be less likely to gain weight in the future.

Think about how you 'feel' rather than what you weigh, and set yourself small goals. It may be something like getting into that favorite top, or being able to run around the park without getting breathless.

Remember to introduce each lifestyle eating change slowly and allow yourself time to readjust. This way you will be able to stay healthy and at your ideal weight without very much effort at all!