What I did and so can YOU!

It is a simple equation really. Wanting+doing=results. What used to happen went like, Wanting+thinking+procrastinating+excuses=no change or worse. I am not an author, I am not anything special. I am a 35 year old guy who, since I can remember, has always had man-boobs and love handles. 

My family has a history of less than perfect hearts and cancer. So, do I stay overweight and risk leaving my kids fatherless before they themselves are parents? The answer was simple, the actions taken were not as easy. Like most of us who are overweight, I had a lot of advice from a lot of people. Some told me about the calorie deficit. Some about the Carb Demons, some about the Atkins, the graprefruit, the cabbage soup. blaa blaa blaa. Do you know what works - universally? Whether you are morbidly obese, slightly overweight or skinny fat - your progression to your perfect body is generally the same.

Getting healthy means that first you must throw out the habits that got you here in the first place. No more pleasure eating, crutch eating, or boredome eating. Unless these three events take place at the right time and consist of the right foods. Now, this isn't to say that for the rest of your life this will be the case, at least at first it will be. Here are my three rules to getting healthy:

1. Eat clean. Nothing processed - no nitrates - refined sugars - white flour, etc. Eat only whole grains, lean meats and lots of vegetables. Fruits are good too. I say vegetables first because of the fiber and filling potential. They fill you up but have little to no sugars (as compared to fruits). No more Diet Colas, no more sugary drinks with a sweetener. Think! This is common sense. Do you think there were fat cavemen? Granted they had to run and walk everywhere and were far more active, but the body works the same. You need protein and fat and carbohydrates. You need vitamins and minerals. You need water. Lots of water. Water water WATER! I just gulped a bunch after writing that sentence. These are the basics. You needs will vary depending on your goals, and the research is yours to do if you are serious. Most importantly - don't starve yourself. Eat 5-6 smart meals per day and not to soon before bed. If you consume too few calories your body will burn muscle and store the fat for later. Eating three hours apart will boost your metabolism. Oh, I almost forgot, this will not happen overnight. Nothing does! Be patient and you'll get there.
2. Become active. Slow to start and increase it progressively. Cardio and weight training. Building muscle is good for your health. Muscle burns fat - fat just sits there on YOUR ass waiting to get burned. The more muscle built, the more fat burned - at rest. That is why trainers tell you it is harder to get rid of the spare tire than it is to keep it gone. Explore whatever suits you, but get active. It is good for your heart and therefore good for everything else. Remember, I am just a guy - see a doctor before you try anything.
3. Get enough sleep. The majority of us are up early and in bed late. Get 8 hours of sleep if you can. If that means missing Letterman, buy a DVR or something. Nothing is free, especially a nice physique.

So that is all I am going to write. The most important part is that YOU have to WANT to do this and then DO. Follow through, don't let anyone or anything stop you from realizing your dream.

Thanks,

Scott