If you were to survey 100 people and ask them what their fitness goals were, most would tell you - they want to lose weight.

And if you were to ask these same people their number one solution HOW they would go about doing it, most will say...

"I'm gonna go on a diet."

When people say this, they might as well say...

"I'm gonna lose weight for a short period of time and then gain it ALL back plus more."

Listen, you can't expect to lose weight and keep it off permanently if you depend on dieting to be your solution.

If you are eating 2000 calories a day, and then suddenly, drop it to 1000 calories...do you honestly think for a second that you'll be able to maintain this for a long period of time...of course not!

But the ridiculous Diet companies say you can...and guess what? You listen.

Why?

Because they know people are all about the "quick fix"...the "I want it NOW" solution...the drop "30 pounds in 30 days" plan. 

Diet companies know that people are all about instant gratification with no effort.

They know that by recommending people to severely drop their caloric intakes; they will in fact lose weight...BUT at the same time...they aren't in the least bit concerned about the long-term effects of what the diet does to a person's body.

Because after a month or so...Good old reality sets in. 

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People can't maintain the diet they're on because they're constantly cranky, ravenous, and irritable every waking moment of the day.

Just a hunch, maybe their bodies are trying to tell them something?  Maybe it's saying...

STOP looking at your scale!  It's NOT telling you the TRUTH of what's really going on in here.  You're cannibalizing all of your existing muscle and internal organs.  All of your metabolic functions are coming to a complete halt.  We are going to have to start storing fat to protect ourselves if you keep this up.  We are on RED ALERT, for God's sake...PLEASE STOP NOW!

Get the idea. 

Diets may help you lose weight in the short-term, but you end up destroying your body in the process.  You can't expect to lose weight effectively if you use the "cutting calories method." 

Your body is too smart for that.  It's like holding your breath under water...eventually, you're going to need to come back up for air. 
Here are some guidelines to follow that do not involve dieting or depriving yourself of calories.

1. Understand that your eating habits should be for LIFE and that developing a "habit" mindset instead of a "diet" mindset is the way to go.

2. Keep your muscle by eating frequently and never skip meals.

3. Use exercise to burn fat rather than diets to starve fat.

4. Make a realistic goal to lose 1-2 pounds per week and be patient.

That's all for now my friend.  Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin