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So you've decided that you're going to do it.

You're sick and tired of being sick and tired and are once and for allhell bent on losing weight.

Well, let me be the first to warn you of a very grim fact:

Millions have tried before you and most of them havefailed miserably at reaching their weight loss and dietgoals.

Therefore, I've put together a little beginner's guide tohelp make sure that you are one of the few that actually endsup being successful at this.

1. Get an accurate picture of where you are now

Many people just go and hop on a diet or weight loss program withoutknowing exactly where they are from the start. This is dangerousbecause along the way there WILL be numerous times where you will be temptedto simply quit altogether. Without knowing where you started, you won'tbe able to accurately gauge your progress. Not being able too see thatprogress put you at an extremely high risk of quitting down the road whenthe going gets tough.

2. Set specific, realistic goals for your weight loss, and WRITE THEM DOWN.

This is one of the most ill-executed steps in the entire process of losingweight. Most people will passively quote some random amount of weight thatthey "hope" to lose.

- "I need to lose 30 lbs."
- "I'm trying to get back down to a size X"
- "If I can just fit back into Y, I'll be fine"

That is the exact WRONG way to go about your weight loss. All above the aboveare hopes. Wishes. Desires. And none does a thinner body make.

What you need are detailed, definite goals that arewritten and time bound (e.g. "over the next 3 months")to hold yourself accountable to doing what yousaid you were going to do by the time you said you were going to do it.

3. Adopt a step-by-step course of action to get you there

In order for this to work there needs to be a concrete method to yourweight loss madness. To this end, you need to chose a weight loss planthat will lead you step-by-step through what to eat (and what not to eat),how and when to exercise, and every other imaginable aspect of losingweight. The reason for this is that goals have a much better chance ofbecoming reality when they are being attained as a result of a plan or systemof action.

4. Get started IMMEDIATELY

Most flunkies know how to study. Most broke people know how wealth isgenerated. Most overweight people how to lose weight. However, what separatesall of these very knowledgeable, yet unsuccessful people from the resultsthey desire is action. Don't let that be your fate.

Once you have written specific goals and chosen a plan of action, don'tdelay in getting right on track to weight loss. The cheesecake, burgers,chocolate, and pastries aren't going anywhere. You can snack on them moderatelyonce you've achieved your goals. Don't get caught into thetrap of holding off having YourBest Body any longer. The sooner you start, the sooner you'll be done.

5. Be Prepared for the emotional roller coaster

Nearly everyone who has tried to lose weight has had some level of successat one time or another. For those who have not been able to sustain desirableresults, being knocked out by the emotional roller coaster is most likely to blame.

Look, losing weight is very simple, but not easy. If it were, there wouldn'tbe so many people trying to get it right. The #1 skill that you will need todevelop in order to make it through is surviving the roller coaster of emotions.One day you'll feel as if you're getting great results. A week later, you may actuallyfeel that you are moving backwards. Either way, just know that as long asyou consistently follow the weight loss principles, you will ALWAYS move forward, evenif it does not feel like it.

6. Don't stop until your goal is reached, no matter WHAT

So many times people come to a screeching halt in their efforts to loseweight and diet because they get discouraged a portion of the way through ORafter they reach a certain benchmark they allow themselves to be satisfiedand quit the program even though their goal has not been reached.

DON'T DO IT.

There was a specific reason that you set your initial goal. Do not sellyourself short by settling for anything less. Stick it out until the very end,and your sense of accomplishment will be irreplaceable.

7.Once you've reached your goal, never, EVER let yourself blow upagain.

This is the last and final barrier to ultimate success in your efforts tolose weight.

Make sure not to allow yourself to relapse while you are in maintenance mode.I recommend sticking to the same general principles that helped you lose the weightand then occasionally indulging in some of the foods that you love. This balanceis the best way to keep the body that you've worked for and not feel over-restricted.

Make this the first and last time that you ever have to go through a weight lossprogram. Remember that if you can just get it right one good time, you canliterally maintain it forever with little effort.

To YourBestBody,

Lawrence Cole
Your Lifestyle and Fitness Coach
YourBestBodyNOW.com