7 Ways to Lose Weight and Keep it Off
by John Seo
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After trying new diets, cutting calories, and diet pills, here is the definitive way to lose weight and keep it off. With obesity being the number two leading cause of preventable death in America, there is more than "looking good" at stake. It won't take a miracle, hoodia (a cactus) or acai (a berry), but it will take a strong desire to lessen your fat burden through natural and organic methods. You will need to make some serious lifestyle changes to achieve your weight loss goals, but these 7 steps give the greatest chance of keeping pounds off.

1. Regular Exercise

This one can't be stressed enough. The only way to lose weight quickly is through exercise. There are no two ways about it, this is 80% of your success. The best exercise program to lose belly fat is one that is a combination of fast cardiovascular activity (jogging, jump roping, swimming) and weight training (lifting weight, push ups, resistance training). By doing these in tandem you will be boosting your core metabolism and keeping it up while your body repairs muscle mass (women too, nearly all women models do some type of resistance training).

2. Do Not try a Starvation Diet

Many dieters begin with good intentions by dramatically decreasing the number of calories they consume, but they overdo it and send their body into starvation mode. This causes two problems: They will lose weight slower because their metabolism has slowed. They will binge eat when they falter, stretching their stomach and getting a huge surplus of calories. Also, eating early in the day, particularly breakfast will jump start your metabolism and keep you from having empty calories sitting in your gut while you sleep.

3. General food Rules

These general food guidelines have helped me personally keep the weight off. Keep from eating large portions, aside from eating too many calories, this will keep your stomach small, ensure you don't eat past your "hunger point," and keep your metabolism churning all day. Don't eat foods that are heavily processed, have high carbs or refined sugars, and stay away from anything that turns your hands orange.

4. the right Liquids

By replacing your daily soda pop with a water you're actually taking two steps in the right direction. Removing the simple sugars will reduce your intake by hundreds of calories, and the water substitute will keep your body metabolizing, filtering, and flowing like it should.

5. Apples and Oatmeal

Apples, oatmeal, and soy are three brilliant choices for a hungry active lifestyle. These three foods have higher fiber and have the sugars and carbs you're craving. Apples offer a combo of fiber, nutrition, and an incredible taste. I recommend the crisp gala apples, although there are many varieties to try out. Oatmeal has fiber, cholesterol fighting agents, and a long term fullness that will keep you full for hours. Soy is an excellent alternative to high cholesterol, high fat, dense protein meat products and the newer version don't taste like cardboard.

6. Don't stop your diet then start a new diet

If you happen to falter and forget your diet, forgive yourself and move on, don't binge or stop trying. This common lapse doesn't have to be an end, it's just a normal part of tweaking your program for your body type.

7. Track your Progress

Lastly, keep a log that journals your exercise and meals. This little step will force you to be accountable for your health plan.

With any luck, it will give you a progress history that you can look back to when you're slim and healthy.