Reality check for stomach

As I sit here typing, I glance down at my stomach.  Wow it really does spill over my pants. It's time to do a reality check for my stomach.

(That photo, see left, isn't me- Her stomach looks pretty flat)

Stomach fat and excess weight is some of the hardest to get rid of. It seems like as you diet and exercise the weight falls off other places before it ever hits your stomach.

Some key factors in getting rid of the pouch are:
*Cardio - heavy cardio several times a week are essential to eliminate weight in the middle.  Time to pull out those exercise DVD's, pick up running, lift weights, etc.
*Diet - okay, so cookies, chips, boxes of processed junk, halloween candy and more are not the recommended formula for losing fat.
*Fluids- Plenty of water is very important to keep the body flowing. Time to tap into that water and make it happen
*Stomach exercises- These exercises, i.e. crunches, sit-ups are helpful in toning the muscles of the stomach. In the end you will see a tighter stomach if you do these.

In short, I am now on a mission to get rid of those extra inches around my stomach.  Not only are they unattractive, but also are unhealthy.

What's Your Biggest Obstacle for Weight Loss

Most people struggle with weight loss at some point in their lives.  Some people may take years to find a method or system that they can stick with and make work. Thousands of dollars are spent every year in search for a weight loss diet, plan or regimen to help with getting rid of unwanted weight.

So, what is your biggest obstacle?  Leave your comments below about what you find to be the most challenging part of losing weight.

Is it:
Finding the time to exercise?

Finding the desire to exercise?

Planning meals?

Sticking to a certain amount of calories every day?

Eating healthy?

Finding the time to cook decent, low calorie meals?

Having to cook for  a family that is NOT on a diet?

Motivating yourself to keep going?

Following a strict meal plan? i.e. limited carbs, protein, etc.

Post your biggest obstacle!

What is most important for maintaining weight loss?

You finally did it!  You got rid of 20, 30, 40 extra pounds and you couldn't be happier with your new look.  Now comes the really hard part---keeping that weight away.

Losing weight is really hard to do. It takes time, effort and a lot of discipline to meet goals.  But the reality is that the stumbling block that a lot of people face is keeping off the weight.

If you were on a restricted calorie diet, it can sometimes be tempting to indulge once and awhile with higher calorie foods and sweets. This is a natural tendency after denying these foods for a long time.

Because of this, it is very important to start a regular exercise program 4 to 5 times a week to maintain your weight loss.  It has been said that exercise is THE MOST IMPORTANT part of maintaining your weight loss. Exercise helps to keep your metabolism boosted, giving you more energy and making you less hungry in the long run.

Selecting an exercise or activity that you enjoy will help you to stick with it and maintain your new lifestyle. Also important is to have alternate activities planned for changes in weather and seasons. For example if you regularly walk every day, you will want to have an indoor exercise planned for days when it is raining or cold outside.

When you exercise 4 to 5 days every week, the exercise becomes part of your everyday routine. It is just something that you do- you don't even think about it.

See more about Fastest ways to Lose Weight

You might have heard of a popular fitness program called P90X. This is a rigorous program that helps to develop and define muscles and transform your body from flab to amazing in just 90 days.

The program definitely has its merits and I have tried to do the program-although I didn't last the full 90 days.  I did see significant results for my efforts.

One of the problems that I have with exercising is time. Typically I do not have one and 1/2 hours every day to work out - the P90X workouts are this long.

So I have decided to reduce the amount of time spent exercising and target just one body section to see if I can achieve results. I will trying what I am calling the AbRipperX 30 day challenge.  The AbripperX video is part of the P90x program and only lasts for 15 minutes.  I will try to do the 15 minutes a minimum of 3 times per week, up to 5 maximum.  I will be taking before/after photos in an attempt to show visible results from my efforts.

Join me in taking the 30 day AbRipperX Challenge. It's only 15 minutes. You can do anything for 15 minutes right?

Liquid Diet - Will it work for you?

I have known several women that have tried the liquid diet over the years.  While sticking to a liquid diet might result in lost weight, the biggest obstacle seems to be when you start eating food again. Many have gained back all the weight they lost in a matter of weeks.  Now that can be mighty disapointing.

There are several things that can be a very big deterrent to the liquid diet:

1.  If you do all the cooking for your family, being on a liquid diet can be very difficult for you.  Not only do you still have to cook food for your family, but also you cannot eat anything.
2. Eating out becomes a large problem. Either you have great discipline to go out and not eat anything or you simply don't go out at all.
3. Social gatherings such as family picnics, outings, office functions can become awkward since you can't eat.

In the end the liquid diet can be a very fast way to lose weight, but you must consider the other effects on your lifestyle while you are on the diet.

After you go off the diet, it is very important to follow guidelines for easing back into solid food. After all you wouldn't want all that work and effort to go to waste.  See more info on the liquid diet

Lose Weight Using One Simple Rule

There are so many different diets and weight loss programs out there that it can make your head spin when you want to lose weight.  Should you cut carbs or protein? Go vegetarian? Cut high fat foods?  The questions can be endless.

But there is one thing among all weight loss programs that is very consistent---drink plenty of water.  Water helps keep the body flowing.  It can help to fill you up so you won't eat as much.  See more benefits below, from our guest author.


Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss
By  Rob Dover 

Did you know that by increasing your water consumption you can help yourself lose weight? Drinking water for weight loss is an easy start to help you on the road to lose pounds. Simply making sure you are sufficiently hydrated keeps your body working to the maximum which equals burning calories, which equals losing weight.

There are times when your body carves for food, or is it? It may be craving for water as it fights to break down the food in your body. So people often feel tired and they tuck in to a high calorie snack to give them a boost, but really their body was just needing a dose of water. For this reason drinking water for weight loss can be a highly successful. But there are more reasons to drink water.

When your body is lacking in water the body has trouble operating. That means absorption of food and flushing out the waste. That means even if you are eating a healthy diet, then your body due to lack of water cannot take full advantage of all those good food stuffs you put in your mouth. Also when it comes to flushing out the waste, it is less efficient and that can mean higher cholesterol and bad skin complexion. Drinking water for weight loss is healthy.

With enough water in your system your body operates so much better. Your metabolic rate goes up, your energy levels increase and that equates to your burning more calories. Drinking water for weight loss is ideal if you are on a dieting program as it will get you to your goals quicker and healthier. Not only will your body be able to take full advantage of the better diet, but you will also feel so much better about yourself in general.

The experts say you should drink 8 glasses of water per day. This depends on where you live and what you do. I highly recommend that on getting up in the morning you drink at least two glasses of water. Make this part of your routine as much as going for a shower. Your organs have been working all night whilst you were asleep, this has used water and you need to replace it. That early morning top up of water can reduce the rush feeling of "must have breakfast".

Drink water throughout the day. Stay away from sodas and fruit juices as they contain many ingredients that your body will then want to flush from its system using more water. If where you live the water doesn't taste so great then squeeze in a few drops of lime or lemon juice. If you drink coffee, try to moderate the intake and at least match your intake with an equal amount of water.

If you are serious about drinking water for weight loss it is important to note that you can drink too much water as well and this is can give you problems. Be aware of your body and "listen" to it.

Drinking water for weight loss is great for a cheap and healthy start to a weight loss program. Help your body today by increasing your water intake, you will have more energy, better complexion and feel great.

Discover how to lose weight safely over at my blog where I have a review of the best diet plan and related dieting info. Visit Fast and Healthy Weight Loss Program to get get started with your healthier lifestyle today.

Article Source: Benefits of Drinking Water for Weight Loss