4 Preparatory Steps Before You Lose Weight

Step one in the weight loss process is to consult with a Doctor. If you haven't had a physical, you need one. You need to have your blood pressure checked, your weight recorded, your BMI (Body Mass Index) calculated, your blood sugar checked and your lipids evaluated at a minimum.

Before a single problem is encountered you need a diet coach. This person will encourage you, help you solve problems, and hold you accountable. A professional like myself is a good choice but not required.

A close family member or friend could do it. Another dieter in your program or someone from your church will work also.

You will report your weight change weekly. Your coach will not be a critic but will encourage you, so choose wisely.

Now choose a diet. It needs to be one you can eat for the long term. No severe restrictions of food groups. Enough calories, 1200-1600 per day are necessary. Check multiple resources like a dietitian, Doctor, library, online or commercial program for copies of diets. Can you learn how to prepare the meals? Does it have enough of the foods you like for you to stick with it? All diets work the same, they use a restriction method or a counting method to lower daily calories.

You will need a system to track your eating. How much or portion sizes and tracking calories is essential to long term success. It is easy to forget the nibbles we take all day. I knew the cook in a restaurant who often said,"I don't know why I am over-weight. I never have time to eat even one meal." This was true, but the cook nibbled all day and much of it like deep-fried potatoes, breaded shrimp, pieces of cheese were quite high fat and the total added up to more calories than 3 meals would have contained.

I invite you to learn more about weight loss from Bruce L Bair. Consider taking a teleseminar in July 2008 taught by Bruce. You can sign up for the seminar and get a special report on his blog Get the Skinney.

You will net 3 benefits if you do - First a no cost 12 page report, Second your privacy will be guaranteed, and Third a seminar that will teach you the skills you need to successfully lose excess body fat and keep it off. Option one below is for the seminar, option two for the report.

http://www.gettheskinney.com/2008/06/03/recipe_opt_in
http://www.gettheskinney.com/2008/06/03/free_report