OK here it is - everything you need to do to get started losing weight.

  1. Here is the number one thing you MUST do - skip this and all bets are off: Get 6-8 hours of decent quality sleep every night. 6 is minimum. 7 is OK. 8 is optimal.
  2. Eat a balanced breakfast - protein, fat, and some sort of carbohydrate - preferably whole grain.
  3. Drink 64oz + water per day
  4. Consume 6g - 12g of Omega3 EFAs per day.
  5. Consume 12 or more servings of fruits & vegetables per day.
  6. Minimize consumption of sugar and processed grains like white bread, bagels, pasta.
  7. Replace processed grains with whole grains.
  8. Eat a small meal or snack consisting of a (preferably) lean protein, carb & healthy fat every 2-4 hours.
  9. Define your goal. Your goal is NOT to lose weight. Yes, I just said that. And it's true.

Your goal is to get whatever it is that losing the weight gives you that you don't have now. This could be something like:

Good Health
Energy
Increased Self Esteem
Freedom from Depression and Mood Swings
Physical Ability to Play With Your Kids.

....etc, etc.

And lastly - Focus on that goal. Whenever you make a health related choice - remind yourself what you are choosing.

When you are forced to make a choice between the Big Mac & your healthy pre-packed lunch - what are you really choosing between?

Here it is - the choice isn't the food - the choice is what that food gets you.

The healthy pre-packed lunch gets you one step CLOSER to whatever it is you want.

The Big Mac gets you more of the same - it gets you what you've already got. It gets you one step further AWAY from what you want.

For those participating in the New You Challenge - defining what it is that you REALLY want is going to be key to your long term success. So, start thinking about it! I will be providing more information, tips, hints etc, in the next few days.