Here’s one of the biggest mistakes that people trying to lose weight make, they put all their eggs in one basket. Some people believe that they can exercise like crazy yet eat anything, others think they can diet themselves skinny and not worry about exercise, while the most naïve of all three have fantasies that they can pop pills and not worry about exercise or diet. Are you guilty of any of the above? Even the smartest person falls prey to this type of mentality because diet books, pill and gadget infomercials, celebrity trainers, etc. constantly bombard people with propaganda claiming to have THE answer to their weightloss woes. The truth is that you know what you have to do, it’s just a matter of getting in touch with what you know is right and striking a balance that is right for you.

Eating A Healthy Diet
Despite what all the diet programs and books on the market say eating healthy is not complicated. You don’t have to count calories, fat, or carbs, you don’t have to go on a high protein diet, or worry about points and exchanges, or all that other craziness. You know the difference between french fries and a baked sweet potato. You know the difference between a strawberry kiwi snapple and an actual strawberry kiwi salad. Still have trouble making the right choices? My good friend and personal trainer Zak Knight, CPT, B.S.E.D. Recreation & Leisure Studies, believes that when it comes to eating for weightloss most people need to stick to his simple rules:

The 3 1/2 Golden Rules of Nutrition

1. Never eat anything deep fried

2. Never eat anything wrapped in cellophane

3. Never eat anything that you can get without leaving your car
½. Addendum: parking and walking in doesn’t make it o.k.

This eliminates the worst of the worst including, fast food, sugary treats, most processed foods, and some restaurant fare. When you’re starting a weightloss program this alone will get you results. So what if you’ve already done this and you’re stuck on a plateau? Focus on 3 weightloss essentials: more fiber, more water, and more vegetables and fruit. Learn to love these foods and concentrate on eating as much of these foods as possible. It makes cutting down on fat, starchy carbs, sugar, and calories in general, effortless. It’s just common sense.

Getting Your Exercise
So many workouts so little time! Every one thinks this way, which is kind of the problem. Most people who are not fit and who need to lose weight rarely have time for exercise and most believe that it has to be difficult, lengthy, and boring. Not true. You don’t have to lift weights, run, do pilates, or anything else that you don’t like. What you need to do is find an activity you like that gets your heart rate up and do it for one hour 5 times a week. Swimming, biking, hiking, dancing, baseball, tennis, rollerblading, golf without the cart, are all activities that burn calories. Find something you like and just do it. If you’re not that crazy about doing anything for one hour 5 times a week then up your daily activity by taking the stairs more, walking during your lunch break, playing ball with your kids, doing your own yardwork, housework, and cooking your own meals. Of course this is less convenient but modern day conveniences are one of the main reasons 60% of America is obese. The more you move the more you lose so get to it.

Controlling Daily Stress
Stress contributes in a big way to weight gain in three ways. It causes you to eat for emotional reasons, it deprives you of sleep, and it increases your fat storage. If you are serious about losing weight you must get it under control. Meditate, do yoga, scream, cry, talk about it, take deep breaths, pray, listen to relaxing music, or commune with nature for 5 minutes a day. The more in control you are the less you eat, the less fat you store and the more sleep you get which means more weightloss for you. Exercise is also a great way to reduce stress so consider that next time you’re thinking about skipping your calorie burning activites.

Strike a balance between diet, exercise, and stress reduction and you’ll be fit and healthy in no time without all the headaches of complicated diets, difficult fitness routines, and a hectic life. It’s as simple as you make it.

Recommended Reading: Rather than imposing a rigid plan from on high, THE OBVIOUS DIET allows you to mix and match elements from different diets to suit your own lifestyle. If you've tried other diets over the years but found they didn't work, then this is the book for you.
The Obvious Diet: Your Personal Way to Lose Weight Fast Without Changing Your Lifestyle