Gaining and losing weight works according to some a simple biological principle. When you consume more energy in form of food and drinks that your body uses each day you will gain weight. When you consume less energy in form of food and drinks that your body requires each day you will lose weight.

Despite what some advertisers would have use believe, weight loss does not occur as a result of any of following:

* Supplements that will melt fat while you sleep or while you wash

* Exercises that don’t take any effort and cause no sweat

* Unique food combinations that will allow you to eat what you want and still lose weight

In order to lose weight you will need to know approximately your Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR). Your RMR is number of calories your body burns at rest in a 24 hour period. When your body gets about 500 less calories than it needs each day as a result of eating less or exercising more, you will lose one pound of weight per week. To illustrate how efficient human body is in motion, average female would need to go for a brisk walk for 1.5 to 2.0 hours in order to burn 500 calories.

When you consume 500 calories a day more than your body’s requirements, you will gain approximately one pound a week! To illustrate how easy it is to gain weight, one 7oz bag of corn chips has approximately 1000 calories. If you ate a bag of corn chips every day in addition to three square meals its possible you could gain 2 pounds in a week!

Be Physically Active: •We are born with need to move! Choose movement that is pleasurable, rather than being active only to lose weight or compensate for overeating. •You will find that when you are more physically active, you are likely to be more energized and feel good about your body and your health. •Sign up for my new “Beyond Diets; Be At Your Best Weight” coaching package to help you progress through six stages of change to a place where old you no longer exists and your new lifestyle is as automatic as brushing your teeth!

Normalize Your Eating Patterns: •Increase your awareness of physical hunger. Many of us have lost our ability to tune into our physical hunger cues because of unhealthy relationship we have with food. •Get calm about food. We live in a nation where there seems to be an endless supply of food. We can eat whenever and whatever we want to. Start listening to your body to begin using food in a healthier way-as fuel that can also bring pleasure to our lives. •There are no “bad” foods. Choose a variety of foods that are both satisfying and health-enhancing. Keep in mind that quality and quantity of food eaten influences a person’s health. In moderation, all foods can be part of healthy eating. •Tune into your emotions. Notice if there is a pattern of using food to try to resolve emotional issues. Are there specific feelings that prompt eating? Do you need more breaks from your routine? Is there a relationship issue that needs to be dealt with? If so, coaching can help you sort this out.

Finally keep in mind that change takes time and be patient with yourself. Seek out supportive people and environments and change because you’re a wonderful person—not because you want to become one. ********************************* Challenge of Month Honor yourself this month by taking extremely good care of yourself: •Try a great new healthy recipe each week using all wonderful fresh produce available this time of year. •Take some time to plan your meals each week and prepare your grocery list accordingly. •Have fun being active! Try a new activity each week such as biking, swimming, in-line skating, walking with friends or family, hiking a bluff, or putting on some tunes and dancing night away in your own living room. •Stop any negative self-talk as soon as you notice it and change it. •Repeat a positive affirmation such as “ I will treat my body with respect, giving it enough rest, fueling it with a variety of foods, exercising it moderately, and listening to what it needs.” Each day. •Compliment someone for something other than how they look. Tell them what is really great about them! (Do this for yourself too!) Now add a couple of your own: • •