Lose weight now!

This is the very first step you must take after deciding to lose weight.

What does having the right mindset and belief system got to do with your weight loss? A lot!

Having the right mindset puts you on the right track and keeps you motivated in your weight loss journey. It helps you stick to your commitment. This is the key to sticking to your weight loss plan. Without the proper mindset, it is very easy to sabotage your own success.

It is easy to be tempted by delicious food, by your peers and family. It is so easy to go back to your old ways. So having the right mindset helps you avoid distractions, and get past your obstacles.

Do not look at losing weight as a burden. Getting sick is a burden. Getting healthy is a worthwhile journey. Make it a fulfilling one!

Have a purpose-driven diet.

If you cannot do this, you will have difficulty in losing weight. If you do succeed in losing weight, you will surely gain back your weight after some time.

So feed your cells. Feed your body. Lose weight. Gain back your health. When you reach your ideal weight, stick to a healthy diet, regularly exercise, and have a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life.

Life is too short so enjoy it while you can.

Know your reasons.

If your reason is just for an occasion like a party, wedding, or reunion, you have a strong motivation for the short-term. What happens after that? If ever you reach your target weight, you may gain it back.

Find the important reasons to achieve a healthy weight for you to build a strong motivation, which will help you when there's ice cream, chocolate bar, or a plate of yummy pastry in front of you.

Think of the long-term scenario. Find the buttons you can push to stay fit, have the right shape, keep the excess weight off for the rest of your life.

Create a vision.

Keep this vision in your mind, in your awareness, in your dreams.

Visualization is an imporant factor in achieving your weight loss success.

Remember to keep this a lifetime vision.

Define your goals.

Set your weight loss and health goals.

Here are some examples:
- Lose 10 pounds in 10 days.
- Lose 5 inches in your waistline in 5 months.
- Quit drinking softdrinks / sodas within this month.
- Quit eating hotdogs starting next week.

Set deadlines for your goals! Mark them on your calendars.

Make a commitment.

You can have a weight loss coach or buddy, who can help you lose weight and keep that weight off for the many years to come.

Better yet, inspire your family, friends, and other people to lose weight and have a healthy lifestyle! Be a good example to them.

Keep track

Identify your cravings. Do they cause the extra weight? Do they give you health problems?

Measure yourself! Don't just measure your weight. Measure your waistline, hipline, and body fat percentage. Compute your body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). For a deeper look at your health, get a blood test and others that you may need. Do this regularly.

Monitor your progress.

Be aware of your thoughts.

Create thoughts that support you. Keep your why's in your thoughts. Always visualize the new you. Renew your commitment everyday.

"Thoughts become words.
Words become actions.
Actions become behaviors.
Behaviors become habits.
Habits become you."

Change your belief system.

“I’ll be big forever because everyone in my family is big. It's in our genes.”

“It’s difficult!”

“It’s expensive!”

“I need to finish my food. Leftovers mean waste of money.”

Do you have any of these belief systems? Is your belief system similar to any of these?

If your answer is "YES", then your main roadblock is your belief system!

I don't have the time!
Everyone has 24 hours a day. You have the time if you make the time. You control your time. If you don't make the time now, you will surely spend more time dealing with your health problems later on.

“I’ll be big forever because everyone in my family is big. It's in our genes.”
The main reason why everyone in your family is big is because you all eat so much of the same kinds of food. And the food you eat are high in calories. Know how to manage your calorie intake and lose weight.

Genes contribute to 30% of body and health status. Lifestyle and diet contribute to the bigger 70%. So, be hip! Get fit!

“It’s difficult!”
If you think it's difficult, you're right. If you think it's easy, you're right. What you believe becomes "right" for you.

Knowing the how’s and why’s in proper nutrition and weight loss can make things easy for you.

“It’s expensive!”
It’s more expensive to cure the health problems you have or will have. You will be spending more time dealing with and worrying about your health problems instead of enjoying life with family and friends.

“I need to finish my food. Leftovers mean waste of money.”
Just improve on your meal preparations. Improve on your estimates. If your kids have leftovers, do not feel forced or compelled to finish them. Eat the right amount and right kind of food.

The real waste is eating too much food, getting fat, and then spending time, energy, and money to get your healthy weight. So leave your excuses behind and move forward. Take the first step. Get the right mindset! And lose weight now!

Proceed from First Step to Lose Weight to Measure.