You might wonder why we are so fat.

1. Metabolism is low- this means that fat peoples body burns food as fuel at a slow rate. While a thin persons body burns food and calories quickly.
2. High hunger – a fat person is physically hungry more often and at a higher intensity than a thin person. It has nothing to do with self-control.
3. Eating when you’re not hungry- fat people have a problem with “emotional eating” or cravings.
4. Genetics do determine general body shape, but do not play a major role as a cause for obesity.
5. Food choices – specific kinds of food make you gain weight very quickly.

What can you do about all of this?

Set Goals.

Goal setting helps us establish definite and achievable objectives. With goal setting, you cement your plans (in writing) by stating what you want actually want to attain; this allows your goals to become  specific and measurable!

Support System

A good support system is integral to your success because they will help keep you on track. You need to have a buddy or someone to check on your progress weekly.  You will need someone you can call if you are struggling to keep on track. You need someone to encourage you when you are not losing weight and it seems like nothing goes right.

Exercise!

You are just kidding yourself if you think you can lose weight and keep it off without exercise. One of the easiest exercises is walking. Walking is probably the most basic cardio exercises and it’s so simple that it’s probably overlooked. Little things like taking the stairs, walking a mile after dinner, or parking your car as far from the store as you can  are all simple ways to walk more.

Diets! Yes what, when and where we eat is important!

What we eat is significant. It is best to eat whole foods and eliminate processed foods as much as possible. There is a list of  foods that make you fat and we need to stay away from them.

When we eat makes a vital.  A good breakfast is critical to permanent weight loss.  Some say six small meals a day is best. I personally don’t like that, because I find I am always thinking about food, preparing food, eating or cleaning up. Your evening meal should be eaten no later than 6 pm.

Where you eat is key.  Always eat at the table. Never eat standing up or watching TV.  When you eat you need to think about what you are eating.

How you eat is important too. Take your time and enjoy your meal. Take a bite, lay down your fork and chew your food.  Savor every bite. Table conversation should be pleasant.  Do not deal with problems at dinner time.  You will be upset and not think about what you are eating which increases the chance that you will eat more than you need or really want.

Consistency

Consistency is the biggest challenge is keeping the weight off permanently. It may be easy to take weight off, but keeping if off is a different story. You must be determines to faithfully follow the plan you have laid out. It takes 21 days to form a habit, but it only a little bit of inconsistency to break that habit and you find yourself back at square one.

In review, there are several reasons for being fat. Slow metabolism, high hunger carvings, eating when you are not hungry, genetics and bad food choices. In order to lose weight and keep it off we need to set goals, have a good support system, exercise, diet or lifestyle, and most of all be consistent.

Good luck as you peruse this new phase in your life. You can achieve your goals. Do it now, do not put it off until tomorrow and you will have good success.