7 Simple Weight Loss Questions Clears Confusion

The outward signs of weight loss struggles are easy to spot---weight gain and worsening health, among others. But, what are the real reasons you are struggling with weight loss?  The answers to those questions will unlock your healthy, lean body for good! If you fail to deal with those questions, you will have difficulty reaching any goal.

7 Simple Weight Loss Questions Clears Confusion




1. What's The Top Reason for Your Weight Loss Struggles?

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In my experience with clients and myself for that matter, negative self-talk will defeat any goal you are trying to achieve.

I work with clients every day—online and one-on-one---to help them reach their goals. It doesn’t matter if the goals are weight loss or weight gain---many times the clients’ goals are hindered by “something else” going on in their lives.

We all deal with social, psychological and other problems/pressures every day. Its hard to focus on your body transformation goals when other problems are “weighing you down.” And, the way you talk to yourself day-to-day is critical to your success.

Dr. Kevin Elko, an expert in Cognitive Behavioral Psychology (CBP), states it this way:

“Those are real fancy words (CBP) that mean I learned how to help change the way people conduct conversations with themselves. Changing the way you talk to yourself can totally revolutionize your life, but learning to do it can take some time and guidance.”

Yes, you may need expert guidance but first try talking positively to yourself.

You will end up believing what you continually tell yourself. And, it shows in your attitude and behavior.

Telling yourself phrases like: "I can't," "I wish," "I will never," or "I quit" could easily be replaced by “I can” or “I will” or “what’s the alternatives.”

2.  Do You Want to Keep the Weight Loss Off for Good This Time? 

Ah, the problem many times….keeping the weight loss off.


Anyone can burn fat and lose weight for good…..

Start with the End in Mind. You need to know what you want your body to look like and what your ideal body weight will be. Although you will have many short-term goals to accomplish, it helps to know what you ultimately want. Dream Big! Small goals usually mean even smaller results.

The other areas of your life may need to be “shaped up” also. If you are messed up financially, socially, spiritually and emotionally, it will be hard to stick with a fitness and nutrition program. Every area of your life works together to make you totally successful. That’s why I work with professionals in other health-related fields to provide references to my clients. For instance, if you have serious depression issues or eating disorders, you will need help from experts in those
fields.

Don’t make weight loss your primary objective. Fat loss and body transformation is your ticket to your dream body. You can't transform your body without significant fat loss. Fat loss will make your body more healthy and beautiful (lean).

Fat loss will also lead to lasting weight loss. In other words, a body composition change (less fat, more lean muscle mass) is the key to permanent weight loss.

Increase your muscle mass with regular strength training to burn fat and permanently speed up your metabolism. Your body has to work harder to maintain muscle mass. You will become leaner because muscle takes up less space than fat.

You can't rush the process of building a lean body. Make a habit of checking your body fat percentage on a weekly basis. If your body is shrinking (lost fat and inches), you are on the way to building your lean body.

Be wary of any program that conditions your weight loss success on their product and/or asks you to go to extremes. Even if you follow the extremes and are successful for a short time, you can not maintain such programs, and you regain the weight.

Some examples:

  • Quick weight loss pills
  • 500-calorie a day severe restriction diets
  • Diets omitting a macronutrient, such as chronic no-carb diets
  • Spot reduction products, such as belly fat burning gadgets
  • Programs that conditions that you eat their prepared foods

Instead, build your health and body on a foundation that will last over your lifetime.

Don’t become a DESPERATE WEIGHT LOSS DIETER (DWLD)! Signs of a DWLD include:

  • taking desperate measures to lose weight as fast as possible
  • wasting money on weight loss products that either do not work or will only give you a minor temporary boost
  • a typical desperate dieter tries a new plan four times a year
  • you are starving or hungry most of the time as a result of the diet
  • you have low energy, are irritable or sick
  • you are trying to burn fat and lose weight without exercising
  • you have slowed metabolism, weaker immune system, hormonal imbalances, decreased energy, disrupted sleep patterns and decreased muscle mass as a result of chronic starvation diets
  • you start hating to eat which is not normal

Don’t let losing weight take over your life!

3. Why Do You Want to Lose Weight? 

YOU NEED A "WHY."  There could be many reasons but usually there is a primary reason.

Some could include:

  • you got a bad health checkup from your doctor
  • you’re trying to fit into your “skinny clothes”
  • you don’t like the way you look naked in the mirror
  • getting in shape for a fitness competition
  • trying to be a role model for your kids
  • trying to reach your high school weight

Whatever “floats your boat” and gets you going will work. The main thing is to stay consistent over time with your workouts and eating plan.

4.  Do You Have the Right Fitness Program for You?

Get the right fitness program for you. That’s why a trainer is a good place to start, especially for newbies. A trainer will do your fitness and nutrition assessment during the first consultation. For instance, excess belly fat has been shown to be a precursor to diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

You will also need to improve your posture, strength, flexibility, body composition, balance and endurance among other things. All of these figure importantly in any fat loss and weight loss program. You need to focus on total health and not just weight loss.

Your health numbers are also important and should be identified for improvement right away. You may need a doctor’s clearance before you can begin an exercise program. Some important health numbers are: blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood fat levels.

5.  Are You Willing to Change Your Eating Habits?

Learn to prepare, plan and comply with your meals at least 90% of the time. This will help you stick to your meal plan. Record what you eat until you know how to eat by portion size. If you eat 42 meals in a 7-day week, you could have 4 cheat meals (90% compliance) and still be successful with fat loss and weight loss. Perfection is definitely not possible or needed.

6.  How Will You Know When Your Body Is Transforming to Lean and Fit?

Make adjustments, always make adjustments. Weekly body fat measurements are critical to see if your body is shrinking. You may need to adjust your eating plan, exercise plan or both. And, if you don’t always lose weight during a week, don’t sweat it. If your body fat percentage is decreasing (if even by .5%), you are succeeding.

Other indicators that your body is changing and your health improving:

  • your clothes are fitting looser
  • your blood pressure and resting heart rate is decreasing
  • your fat blood levels are decreasing
  • your bad cholesterol levels are decreasing and good levels are increasing
  • you are sleeping and resting better
  • you have more energy and are less stressed out about life’s events

7.  Are You Trying to Lose Weight Without Help From Others?

Surround yourself with positive workout buddies and people who will encourage what you are trying to accomplish.  Having social support is critical for long-term weight loss success. Research has long supported this fact. Long-term success includes fat loss and body transformation which will insure that your weight loss stays off. Maintaining weight loss is much tougher than just losing 20 pounds in a month or two.

Here are 4 forms of good social support:

a. Getting support from a spouse, friend, workout buddy or personal trainer has been proven to work again and again. Use them.

b. Fitness bootcamps remain popular as a form of group exercise. My question to anyone thinking about participating in a bootcamp is this: What are your fitness goals? Your answer will tell me whether a bootcamp will have long-term benefit for you. What's your plan to continue exercising and eating right after the bootcamp?

If your bootcamp experience isn't part of a permanent commitment to a fit and healthy lifestyle, then you are not going to get the permanent fitness results you want, a lean and toned body. Permanent fitness results take longer than any 1 or 2 week bootcamp. The bootcamp will just be a quick fix for you. That sounds harsh but I see the quick fix scenario too much out there.

c. Online social networks are also an option and enable you to seek help for your particular weight gain situation.

d. Social weight loss contests can also succeed for 2 reasons:

Accountability - A little healthy weight loss contest never hurts a long-term fat loss cause.

Its important to keep in mind that you are trying to change your lifestyle to one of health and fitness. The weight loss contest is just one tool to help you get it done. Stay committed through the ups, downs, successes and failures.

Support - Its a long, never-ending road to burning fat, losing weight, changing your body and maintaining weight. Support from someone going through the same thing is very important.

Also, inform family members and friends early on what your body-changing intentions are. The more support, the better. On the opposite end, avoid people who will have a negative attitude about your weight loss intentions. There are many would-be haters out there to help you fail.

Start transforming to your dream body….Get out there and start living, exercising and having fun!

Be sure and download your Free Bodyweight 500 Metabolic Fat Burner Workouts and start shaping your body faster!  There are 3 levels:  beginner, intermediate and advanced.  Start at your level today!

About Mark

Hi, I'm Mark Dilworth, Nutritionist, Dietary Strategies Specialist, Nutrition for Metabolic Health Specialist and Lifestyle Weight Management Specialist. Since 2006, I have helped thousands of clients and readers make lifestyle habit changes which includes body transformation and ideal body weight.