Devising a Strategy For Successful Weight Loss (part 2)

3. Plan Your Exercise Program.

To many, this is the scary part; taking their overburdened hulk into the gym, with all those sleek muscle adorned men, and trim and fit ladies hanging out. Forget that image, you are not out to become Miss World or Mr Universe. You are determined to lose weight, and that is why you will gradually build up your exercise levels.

First of all, think about your average day, and what actual exercise you get in a normal day. Exercise is walking, whether it be up and down stairs, along the street or in the park. Exercise is any other physical activity that burns up calories.

It is very easy to add a mere 15 minutes a day to your walking, so start out by going for 15 minutes extra and then up 30 minutes. If you fancy the outdoor life, and can develop an interest in some aspect of nature, then walking in the country.

Any way that you can combine pleasure with your exercise will help you lose weight. You want to improve your life, not create a living nightmare that you hate. Finding the courage to go the gym may be your style, but if you do not like that idea, simple exercise equipment at home is a great aid.

I work sitting down all day at home. I have some small steppers that I take out on the balcony twice a day during my working times. Five minutes each time is no big amount to aim for; that's ten minutes exercise I would not otherwise have. Skipping is great too, although that is not something I do personally, due to a hip problem. I also have some small dumbbells which I use for stretching and aerobics; not heavy weights that may damage you or force you to give up quickly.

Just making a few adjustments in your daily routine will help you start to get those pounds down. You can build on the exercise without torturing yourself, and keep on track for your target weight. Do so within healthy levels, and with professional advice from doctor and trainer if you feel it necessary. If you have any medical condition, or are grossly overweight, then consultation with your doctor before exercising is even more important than if you think you are healthy, albeit overweight.

4. Set Out to Enjoy Your New Healthy Diet

Losing weight does not mean you have to hate what you eat. On the contrary, it is the chance to learn how good healthy and natural foods can taste. Experiment with the foods you are allowing yourself; find some culinary diets with non fattening foods.

If you have little time, and do not like calorie counting, then try a service like Zone Diet Delivery in the US. That way, you will not be put off by the extra time spent cooking and thinking about what you are cooking. If you decide to go ahead with all the cooking yourself, or with your partner, you can help keep track of your nutritional intake at the USDA' excellent website about the food pyramid. They even have a facility to keep a record of what you are eating.

There are, of course, many variables in your attempts to lose weight, but bringing together those main elements of a weight loss strategy above, will help you towards success.