How can I lose weight?  This question is repeatedly asked and answered on the Internet in exceptional detail.  There are thousands of viable ways to achieve weight loss; however they only work if our intentions are genuine.  Before embarking on a weight loss program, fitness regiment, or the new buzz word “lifestyle change” please do yourself a favor and ask why? 

[Maybe you want to lose a few pounds, get in shape, or change your life altogether, but why?  Before we explore how, we need to at least understand why!....]

I can think of so many reasons why I began my journey towards a more fulfilling existence.  First and foremost, I teach physical education for a living, and if I want to have any authority on the subject I felt I should live a life that models those values, so looking my best would send a message that I am serious about my career.  Second, I have always struggled to maintain a healthy weight even while being active, and to overcome that struggle would be liberating.  Lastly, I longed for more energy and general zest for life.  I thought that improving my nutrition and fitness would satisfy all three of these desires and at last my achievements have satisfied these internal desires, and at the same time created new ones!

Find The Right Program For You

Finding the right plan really depends on your reasons for making the change.  If you are just concerned about scale weight loss then there are many options that can help you achieve your goal.  No one program is superior to another, rather some work better with certain people.  Finding a program that is right for you should be based on your reasons for wanting to get fit in the first place, and the goal you have in mind. 

The biggest problem for many people is that they are steered in the wrong direction from the beginning!  Most of the weight loss market, just wants to get on the scale and see number that continues to decline.  While this is OK, it doesn’t serve everyone’s specific needs.  If you have completed the hard work and asked yourself why you want to make this change, then I have some suggestions to help you achieve your goals.

Here are a few common health and weight loss goals and suggested programs/reference material to help you achieve that goal. (I will write a more elaborate report on these programs in a future post, so this is just a starting point)

I want to lose 10 pounds to fit into an old outfit in 3 months time

• Weight watchers - I’m not a big fan of calorie counting, but is a valuable aid to some people
• The Zone - I had great success with the Zone Diet in the past, but it was too rigid for me long term

I want to change my eating habits so that I can lose weight effortlessly over a long period of time (1 year or more)

• Eat Stop Eat – For me, this program provided the easiest solution to successfully regulate my weight and use intermittent fasting as an effective fat burning tool.  It was a key contributor to my continued weight loss and new physique. 
• Crossfit - I have tried this program in the past, and in it’s purest form it is an elite program for people that have a high baseline level of fitness.  That being said there are modifications to the program that make it a good program for anyone
• The Core – I purchased the original copy of the book about 5 years ago.  It really changed the way I viewed exercise.  It is an excellent program for people of all ages. 
• Primal Blueprint – The best way to eat, train and live…period!  (I can only say that because I lost over 40 lbs implementing the methods I learned in the Primal Blueprint)

I want to reach an elevated level of fitness and potentially sport six pack abs again, or for the first time in my life

• Visual Impact – I’m only a quarter of the way through this program, and my abs are starting to become visible for the first time ever!
• Eat Stop Eat – Again I have used this to achieve effortless weight loss
• Primal Blueprint – one of the best investments I have ever made

Good luck!

The inspiration for this post originated from one of my favourite bloggers, Chris Gillebeau at the Art of Non Conformity.  His post encouraged his readers to ask why?  I think that is the most important question!  Then you can figure out how!