Tools For Diet & Weight Loss Success

by Anne Barton

The most important tools for losing weight naturally and effectively.

The first, most important thing involved in planning for a successful diet and exercise plan for weight loss is to want it. If you do not have motivation, you simply will not succeed. If you feel like you are being forced to exercise, or that your diet plan is pure torture, you simply will not be able to stick to it long enough to see the results that matter. However, motivation is only half the battle. There are many other preparations that must be made, in order to ensure that you employ an effective eating and exercising regimen that will create healthy results. All of the following things are necessary parts of your "diet and exercise tool kit".

Accurate Measurements: How do you plan to measure your progress? Some people simply turn to the scale, judging all of their hard earned work based on their weight. Others pay attention to their measurements, body fat percentage, body mass index or their fitness scores in various tests. However you decide to measure your personal progress, make sure that your measuring tools are accurate. An inaccurate scale may mislead you, an ineffective measuring tape may confuse you, and if you do not know how to use those body fat calipers, there really is no point in trying.

Keeping Track: Another way to gauge your personal progress during a diet and exercise plan is simply to keep track. Purchase or create a weight loss log to track your eating and exercise habits, or fill out a journal to track your feelings and energy level every day. If you use walking as a main source of cardio, you may consider investing in a pedometer which will keep track of every step you take. If you track your progress every day, it becomes easier to identify problems, change the pace or try something new if you can look back to analyze the progress you have already made.

An Empty Kitchen: Stashing cookies and chips in the back of the pantry and pushing the ice cream back behind the frozen chicken may work in accordance with the "out of sight, out of mind" adage, but will you really forget that those things are there? Before you begin your new diet and exercise plan, give or throw away any food that you will not be eating. If it isn't there, you do not have to worry about being tempted and falling into the ice cream and cookies trap. With all the space you clear, you can pack in all kinds of new healthy foods, which will be there waiting for you when you have a craving.

The Right Workout Tools: If you plan on formulating an exercise regimen, it is important to make sure that you have the right tools. Do not opt for the cheap version of anything just to save money, because your health is worth the extra cost. Make sure that you have enough equipment for exercise that you will not get bored. It can become easy to get bored of a single aerobic video, a specific walking trail, or your favorite piece of gym equipment. If you surround yourself with options, ranging from free weights to the bicycle, swimming pool, track, hiking trail, treadmill, aerobic videos, yoga, and so on, there is very little chance you will get too burned out on everything and stop working. No matter what exercise you choose, make sure that you are prepared. If your feet are involved, purchase shoes that feel comfortable and will last long. Walking shoes destroy easily with the amount of wear they receive, so choose a more expensive pair that is better built if you want your favorite sneakers to stick around for a while.