Weight Loss, is not in a pill

Written by "team donkey", Staff Sergeant US Army

Americans are fat, period. Look around at the people you deal with on a daily basis and you'll see what I mean. That person you see at the office that is as thin as a rail is that way most likely because of genetics. The question is how do you lose that gut, and those stretch marked love handles. The answer is this, Americans eat like crap, and don't use their bodies. Diets like the Hollywood miracle diet, the lemonade diet, Atkins, and numerous pills are not the answer. Exercise equipment that help with Abs, or stationary bikes, and running equipment are not the answer either.

The 48 hour Hollywood miracle diet is great to make you lose all your water weight in 48 hours, but after that the weight comes back. The famous lemonade diet is great for weight loss and cleansing your system, because it starves you. Of course you'll lose weight if don't eat a thing for two weeks. This is very unhealthy for your body. Atkins has a no carb rule, so you eat nothing but fats. Pills that trick your body into not feeling hungry are no good either. Your body will go into starvation mode and will take muscle before it takes your life line which you body decides is your fat storage. You lose weight and become flabby. So what is a person to do that doesn't have those genes like the guy who always looks great and never does a thing.

First you need to decide to change your lifestyle. If you don't want to change your life don't read anymore because you can't do it without a change in lifestyle. Lifestyle change is the most important part to have a healthy and fit body. Living longer, and looking better. The lifestyle I'm referring to is becoming an athlete. Not only is this life fun, but you get results and feel great.

Now that you have continued to read, I'll tell you how you can become an athlete. Get a bike. If you work or go to school 5 miles or less from your home, you have no excuse not to ride a bike to work or school. It's fun healthy, saves money and is great for the earth. Live by the beach? Get a surf board. Can't surf? That's easy start by paddling for distances, and when you get used to the board catch a wave. Get a skateboard, for the times when you need just a few things at the local grocery store. Go to the park and get in a pick up game of basketball. Join a slow pitch softball league. If you are older or injured there are things you can do that is safe and productive. Pool therapy or Pool aerobics can save your life. Doing exercise in the pool is one of the greatest things you can do. It takes that strain off of joints, and takes the fat off of your gut. If you are able swim, swim as much as you can. You can walk in the evening with someone you like to talk to, or jog in solitude. If you really want to lose weight fast get in the gym and actually use the free weights. Some machines are good but stay with the free weights 90% of the time. Again if you are older or you are injured us what you can, in this case machines are good, the best machine just might be the elliptical it is a no impact way of simulating jogging. Please listen to me on this an ab machine is only good because you are doing something, but the best way to work your abs is the old fashion way with crunches on the floor. Do crunches while you watch TV, when a commercial comes on get on the floor and work the abs, alternate with push-ups even if you have to do them on your knees at first. The gym is great to built muscle, but you need to get outdoors. Hike, Mountain bike a trail, bolder climb rocks. Bouldering is usually done on a rock face around 20 feet or less, without the use of ropes, and it's another example of a free activity. Caution though on the Bouldering, you can hurt yourself. The key is that you wont get board like you do at the gym if you mix it up with these ideas.

I've given you ways to change your life. To see yourself as an athlete, but here comes the second part, eating. Eating should be seen as fueling your body that you now see as a machine. I prefer the six small meal a day diet. Diet not meaning diet in a weight loss way, you can't think like that. It means how you eat. How you fuel the machine. You don't need a book of recipes to loss weight or fuel yourself. Just do this, breakfast lunch and dinner should include three portions the size of your palm, our a cup. These portions should be a fruit or vegetable, a carb, and a protein. In between you should have a snack like a Kashi bar, or protein shake, buy a tub of the powder whey protein at GNC, don't buy the expensive pre-packaged shakes unless you are rich. Myoplex is the best, but expensive. If you have the money go for it. They are great for snacks. Another great snack is almonds, they are a machine builder. Just remember that these are six small meals. If you have a huge palm, use common sense. You also need a free day where you eat what you want, but make sure it's in moderation. You can also do this twice a week. Believe it or not you are tricking your metabolism in a good way when you do the free days. It's like when you pyramid with exercise. You will pyramid your metabolism if you follow the diet every single day. So fool yourself. One thing to remember is that if your want muscle you need protein and if your workout intensely you need a very high intake of protein, I would suggest that if you need to up the protein take it in liquid form, like a shake.

The best thing you can do is quit being on the couch. Be a father and play catch with your son. Be a mother and take a walk, or bike ride with your kids. Turn the TV off, and learn to play again like you did when you were a kid. Like the book, "Tuesday's with Morrie", Morrie says, "Nobody ever said on their death bed, I wish I watched more TV". Ain't that the truth. Go out right now and be a kid again.

Just a few foods to power that machine

Healthy Carbs: Whole Grains, Oatmeal, Bran, Granola, Potato, yogurt, Brown rice,

Healthy Protein: Fish (especially Salmon), sirloin steak, chicken, whey, cottage cheese, beans

Great Fruits and Vegetables: anything green, berries, apples, bananas, heck just eat fruit you like, as well as vegetables.

Take a look at these links, and pick up an Outside magazine or Adventure magazine for great ideas.

www.outsidemag.com www.gnc.com www.adventure.nationalgeographic.com www.Kashi.com www.eas.com (myoplex) www.bodyforlife.com www.mitchalbom.com

Once you start you'll be addicted to life, and having fun again. Best wishes and happy trails.

Credits go to the following people (below)

I was inspired by to devise this program by a few people first off the diet regiment is the theory or Bill Phillips who is my fitness hero, he wrote the book "Body for Life" it is a must read. My wife has had two kids and looks great and it's thanks to Bill. I am injured so I am over weight at this time. I know what you are thinking, but I was in execllent condition until I had 3 back surgeries in the last 11 months, I do pool therapy for now, but I will change my lifestyle. I have to, my military career is almost over and I'm done ruck marching for 22 miles with 60 pounds on my back and 60 pounds of equiptment on my body, doing PT and running a total of 30 miles a week, more weeks times than not. I scored high on my PT tests with over 80 sit-ups in 2 minutes, and 75 push-ups in 2 minutes(real push-ups, all the way down baby), then running 2 miles in 13 minutes. I was never very good at running and this was done in my mid to late twenties. Young guys whould do 2 miles in 10 minutes. After the pool therapy is done I plan on slowly starting that athletic lifestyle. It hurts to look at pictures of me only a year ago, but I was hurt serving my country. Next I need to thank "Outside" magazine for inspiring me to get out and exercise while having fun. Next thank you goes to Steve Nash of the Phoninx Suns. His article in the March 2009 "Outside" magazine was an insperation to be a better man in all ways. Lastly Mitch Albom who wrote "Tuesdays with Morrie" who gave me the gift of the best quote ever, "Nobody ever said on their death bed, I wish I watched more TV".