So, you wanna lose weight-eh?

I have some advice that can be taken or left. I have lost 17lbs and 19in since January this year.

All I have done is cut back calories and exercise 30 min, four times a week. When I say exercise I mean working as hard as you can, heart pounding, get your buns moving exercise. I do this by interval training for 30 minutes on an elliptical machine at the gym. Interval training is when you work at your maximum ability for say 2 minutes, and then you drop down to an easier level for 2 minutes. I have read that this is the most efficient way to burn fat- and it has worked for me.

Strength training with this is ideal, but frankly, I am too tired from having to work at the butt crack of dawn every day that its a miracle that I do the exercise that I do.

Also, I used this website (this links to the table for women) to work out how many calories I should have per day. I write down every single thing I eat, and keep track of the calories. Occasionally I deviate.. but come on, Im only human. No one can always say no to a bite of chocolate or the occasional margarita.... hehe However, I am pretty strict with this routine. I fairly consistently lose 1lb per week, unless I've been naughty. :-I It is said that if you lose more than 1-2lbs per week you are not losing fat, but you are losing water and muscle. It is better to be patient and it will happen. I find that for me 4 days a week of exercise is the magic number. 3 days doesn't do anything.

Another source that has been so helpful for me is this series of videos on YouTube by a personal trainer. It takes time to go through and listen to them, but it is well worth it. I have followed all of his advice and it has worked.

Now, if you are a man you will most likely have a much easier time of this. Take my sweetie for example. He has lost 40lbs since last Fall strictly by dieting alone. No exercise. He looks great, and it makes me crazy that I have to kill myself at the gym and he doesnt- but there you have it.

I hope this is helpful to anyone who is interested. It took me a very long time to tweek everything into a plan that works, and it turns out that the simplest and most logical plan is what works. Eat less, exercise more.