The Top 5 Best Weight Loss Tips

• Really truly want to lose weight.  If you don't really want to lose weight, then you won't.  Click here for the ways you can sabotage yourself without even knowing it. 

• Always start with a goal.   Your goal should say:  what you are going to do and when you are going to do accomplish it.  For example, I will lose 50 pounds by January 1.

Make sure your goal is realistic.  Losing 50  pounds in a week isn't going to happen so don't set yourself up for failure.  Most people who take off weight and keep it off lose on average about 1 pound a week on their way to their goal.  So, if you want to lose 25 pounds figure on 25 weeks, etc.  Set an actual date.  Don't say 1 year, don't say summer, give the actual date.

Write down your goal and look at it every day when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed. 

• Write down your plan for reaching your goal.  This is really important.  On a sheet of paper write your goal at the top.  Below your goal write the specific steps you are going to take to reach your goal. 

For example, instead of saying I will eat healthy (which really what does that mean?).  Say specifically HOW you are going to eat healthy such as I will eat 1500 calories a day.  Instead of saying I will exercise more, you need to specifically say what exercise you will do - for example, I will build up to and walk 2 miles every day.

This plan isn't set in stone.  You can decide to change some of the steps later, but make sure if you do that you replace them with something equally as specific.  Such as, I will either ride my exercise bike for 30 minutes or I will walk for 2 miles every day. 

Also, be careful not to include absolute statements like I will never eat dessert again.  That will just make the desserts seem even more tempting because they are now forbidden.   

• Exercise.  It doesn't matter what type of exercise you decide to do, but do some type of exercise.  You may not be able to do a lot at first.  That's okay.  Don't get discouraged.  Do what you can and then do a little bit more the day after that.  For example, if you can only walk to your mail box and back without getting exhausted.  That's fine.  Tomorrow, go a few steps further. 

Please check with your doctor before starting any exercise program. 

• Drink at least 8 glasses of water every day.  There is a reason you hear this so much.  It's because it works.  The water helps your body do it's thing better and it fills you up.  

Click here for tips on eating healthy.