If you happen to be among the millions of people who are weight impaired, you may have already considered, or even tried many alternatives for losing weight...and you may still be seeking that one magic "remedy"...

Sadly, there are no magic remedies, diet pills, or supplements for losing weight. It takes desire, persistence and lots of accurate information seasoned with ample amounts of supportive and caring guidance, to succeed.

Through the trials and tribulations of many failed weight loss plans we now know that if you try to manage your weight by making radical changes in your diet and lifestyle, you will eventually fail...around 95% of the time!

For a diet plan to be successful it must fit within the boundaries of normal day-to-day habits and activities. It must allow for the consumption of familiar foods in familiar and traditional social settings. The exclusion of "taboo" foods or your favorite fast food restaurant is generally a set-up for eventual dieting failure.

When you stop to think about, isn't it usually the things you are told that you can't do or have, that you desire the most? It's a part of human nature. We want what we can't have! Take it away from us, and surely this is exactly what we will want and crave the most...and this includes the foods we eat. Even the most highly regarded sources of information agree that we tend to focus on what we can't have (see what the Bible has to say about it; Romans 7:14-15).

So, a good plan for losing weight should not try to radically change your eating behavior. The plan should adapt to your daily activities and eating behavior. And of course any good plan should incorporate the benefits of good nutrition, convenience and practicality.

The bottom line is that we are all very busy people without a lot of time to spare. We're not about to turn our busy lifestyle upside down to follow some restrictive plan for losing weight. Oh...maybe something like this will work for a short period of time, but the facts don't lie. Short term loss is long term gain (in weight that is!). Although the "crash" weight loss diets may work for a short while, most of us will find that before long the pounds begin to creep back on...and there is good reason for this.

- We're not going give-up eating at fast food and sit-down restaurants when we need a quick meal.

- We're not going to give-up eating with business associates, good friends and family or any other special meal occasions where dieting guidelines are difficult (or impossible) to follow.

- We're not going to completely eliminate the foods we love and crave.

- And we're most definitely not going to waste precious time preparing special dietary meals from "scratch" every day!

It's important to know that you don't have to stop doing any of the above to lose weight.

You can look and feel like a million bucks, take years off your appearance and have the energy and vitality to accomplish your dreams, by following a few simple guidelines. Here they are...

1) Take it one step at a time.

Some of the greatest accomplishments in life begin by taking one small step at a time. When we are challenged to think deeply, encouraged by others to succeed, and ultimately inspired to take action, great things start to happen!

If you have important weight loss goals you are not achieving, try to spend less time worrying about all the possible "causes" and start concentrating on how you can make progress.

This is one of the keys to moving forward and a simple, but powerful tool for success.

Step #2 - Assess your dietary needs and lifestyle.

Awareness is the key!

Learn about your specific dietary needs (caloric intake) and daily energy requirements. We're talking a basic understanding here, and not having to go into any great detail.

Step #3 - Seek advice from friends and trusted authorities.

Don't believe everything you hear! There are thousands of diet "scams" on the market. When you find a trusted source, ask as many questions as you can about diet and exercise. Find out what has worked for others. But always be on-guard for "quick fix" approach...it won't work!

Step #4 - Start creating a SYSTEM of support.

About 85% of our "happiness" and well-being is determined by the quality of our relationships with other people. Loving, caring relationships and a network of friends, family, and colleagues lowers stress, increases longevity and helps us to accomplish our goals in life (including losing weight).

We are social creatures and we do our best when we have friends to cheer us on, offer support, give advice and hold us accountable when necessary. This makes it easy for us to succeed. So, surround yourself with people, tools and activities that make it easier to succeed than to fail! Arrange your living environment and social situations so that every thing around you pulls your forward!

Step #5 - Use your resources.

Read motivational tips, general health information and any other literature you can get your hands-on. Information is power!

Step #6 - TAKE THE FIRST STEP!

There you have it. So, get started today on "your" Road to Success!

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