Don't Diet...Choose a Way of Life!

Stephen J. Smith (author of Look good, feel great!)

If you ask most people what they would like to change about their body you will invariably get a barrage of responses rather than a single reply. Comments about removing bulges, dimples and rolls from certain areas whilst 'toning up' others tend to be the most common responses.

Since we live in an image-based society most people are concerned about the way they look. This is exemplified by the fact that diet books tend to be some of the most popular books on the market.

Unfortunately though, the vast majority of people who want to change their body don't even take the first step because they are totally confused as to which direction they should go. Of those who do take action, many find their 'body-changing journey' a very difficult one. Their progress is often slow, they experience enormous hardships and obstacles along the way and they are often required to put in a super-human effort in order to stay on the path. Worst still, by the end of their journey they often find themselves exactly where they started! Such is the plight of many dieters.

This often leaves them frustrated and disillusioned due to the futility of their effort and with the belief that they have to accept their bodyshape for the rest of their life.

Choose your own path

The good news is there is a way that works - a way that has been proven to be effective in getting people results! The answer doesn't lie in following a single diet or exercise program or in taking handfuls of pills. The answer is to simply copy the daily habits or rituals of people who have achieved and maintained the results you want, but then to only incorporate the habits that suit you and your lifestyle.

Let's face it, we all have different likes, dislikes, tastes, commitments and time availability. Therefore, the type of plan that suits one person may not suit you. Why not examine a range of options that can help you achieve the results you want and then decide to use the principles that best suit you.

For example, weight training is a great way to 'tone up', boost your metabolism and dramatically accelerate fat loss. However, some people, for a variety of reasons, cannot or choose not to incorporate this activity into their lifestyle. If this is the case- fine! There are many other 'lifestyle modifications' that someone can make to achieve the results they desire.

There are many paths that may be taken up the mountain of physical greatness in order to reach the peak. However, the people who have achieved the greatest success have modelled themselves on people who have been successful in the past but they have also managed to forge their own path.

Follow proven principles

Laws govern the universe, whether they are physical laws, spiritual laws or even financial laws. All of these laws work for everyone and they work 100% of the time.

The physical laws that govern the human body are fundamental principles that when used can help people achieve dramatic changes in their body in a short period of time. Just like the law of gravity, these laws work 100% of the time and they work for everyone. The only difference is some people respond faster than others.

For example, eating 5 small meals a day is better for your metabolism than eating 3 larger meals. However, when person A uses this principle for eight weeks they only lose 2 kilograms of body fat whilst person B loses 5 kilograms. Both people lose body fat as a result of using this principle but they lose it at different rates! Despite individual variability in results, the principles still work for everyone!

Use several 'Lifestyle Factors' simultaneously When people make a decision to change their body, often they will go on diet, take some pills or do some exercise. A 'single-pronged' approach to body change almost always ends unsuccessfully.

Body composition change is like a chair. In order to be balanced and stable, the chair needs four legs. Without a leg, the chair becomes unstable and can't serve its purpose. Similarly, body composition change requires changes to be made in a number of areas of life rather than just one. The four 'legs' (lifestyle factors) of body composition change are:

• Nutrition
• Cardiorespiratory (aerobic) exercise
• Resistance (weight) training
• Supplementation

By making simultaneous changes to your lifestyle in each of these areas rather than just one area, you will be absolutely amazed at the results you can achieve in a very short period of time.

Maintain the habits

Once you start using the correct principles to help you achieve your physical goal and then turn the principles into habits, your body will change very quickly. However, once you achieve the result you desire it is imperative that you maintain those habits. It is impossible to return to your old habits and expect to maintain the physical changes you have achieved. Many people who go on short-term diets experience this situation. They go on a diet, lose weight and when they achieve their goal weight they go off the diet. Doing so ensures their weight returns to its previous level and oftentimes it increases even further!

One of the best ways to avoid this situation is to adopt a Japanese philosophy, 'Kaizen' (constant improvement). When you arrive at your first 'success port' – celebrate! Enjoy the moment, reward yourself for being disciplined and bask momentarily in the sunshine of personal glory. Then, quickly re-group, re-assess your position and decide upon your next port. Immediately set your sails and head off on another personal journey on the unpredictable seas of life to a new physical goal!

Progress higher and higher in your quest for physical greatness. Not only will you be rewarded with a better body and vibrant health, but you will be amazed at how the discipline you create for improving your body has a carry-over benefit to many other aspects of life as well. Go for it!

If you would like more information on how to create a lifestyle that will transform your body, read my book, Look Good, Feel Great! It will take you through a simple 10-step process to create a plan that suits your own unique lifestyle and that can help you achieve the body of your dreams!