Have you ever heard people saying that they want to lose weight ? Maybe you’re one of them, maybe you’re not. (I'll admit that I was one of those people back then) They're the ones who are always saying that they will go on a diet or workout for that ‘summer body’. It’s good that you’re now considering to change yourself for the better.

However, people don't realize that there are NO short cuts.
And those who do not understand this, often QUIT before they even begin.

Most people who go on a diet or a new workout routine expect a quick fix. A drastic change. When they set their expectations sky high, they often fail. They either get lazy and not give their 100% or they usually take the easy way out by quitting. The main point here everyone needs to understand is that there are no shortcuts towards that body you’ve always desired. It’s gonna take time and dedication. There’re no ‘alternatives’ into working out or eating right.

BASIC TIPS FOR DUMMIES

Basic exercise 3-5 times a week
You cannot expect to shed the pounds by doing nothing. Don’t just sit at home all day, go out and go for a run. Can't run? Take a brisk walk or read on how to get started with running. Play a game. Take baby steps if you have to but go out and do something instead of playing video games or watching Jersey Shore on the couch. 20 minutes a day is more than enough.

Level-up
You start off as a person who can only run 5 minutes before you start huffing and puffing. A few weeks later you find that the run feels a little easier. Don't stay that way. Push yourself to achieve higher goals. Run faster, longer. Do other things with your body because your body is not made to only train one way. Get some weight training in, dance, do whatever it takes to keep your body challenged.

Eat more
I'm DEAD serious. Eat at least 4 - 5 times a day. Eating is what keeps your metabolism going, not to mention - it helps it speed up your metabolism as well, and as we all know; the higher your metabolism, the more fat you burn, even on days when you're doing nothing. But of course I don't mean eating bad, fatty junk food. Incorporate fresh fruits, veggies or any other fiber rich food. Plan your diet well.




If it's white, it ain't right
Stay away from white rice or white bread. Eat brown rice and whole wheat bread instead. There is a difference. White bread contains starch (and chemical bleach) which has more calories and makes you hungry much faster.

Drink up
Drink a lot of water. Drink nothing but water. Cut out those bottled fruit juices, canned drinks, sodas, sweet teas, coffee and so on. Especially processed, canned or bottled drinks, they're so bad for you. If you really need an alternative, make your own blended fruit juices at home, do not get those from the supermart.

Midnight snack? Hell to the NO
Don’t eat 3 hours before you go to bed - that's the main rule of thumb. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to lose weight, but at least know the basics.


Those are the basics. Once you get down to that, all you need to do is to improvise and keep the ball going. Struggling to stay motivated? Fret not, there are many ways to keep yourself motivated. Also, this would be a good time to think about whether you would need a gym membership or stick to the outdoor parks. Either way, it doesn't matter because you are now one step further to reaching a healthier you.


When you feel like you've mastered the basics, let's move on to learning the principles of torching those calories off faster.


p/s: Remember that hotness does not happen overnight. Work hard, enjoy the sweat & be patient. Use a little verbal and visual motivation, if needed.