Unable to lose weight?

You want to slim down and tone your body, but your weight wonít budge. Here are six potential blockers to weight loss.Blocker No. 1: The mindYour mind is an ally when it comes to achieving your goals; however, until your mind has been programmed for success, it will do more to derail your efforts than to help you.

• Take a few moments each day to visualize yourself at your ideal weight. Imagine how it feels to look the way youíve always wanted.
• Protect your mind from any negative self-talk. If a negative thought comes to mind, reject it.
• You want to be thin and fit, and yet you think of yourself as out-of-shape and fat. Re-program your mind to think of yourself as fit and attractive, and you will be well on your way toward achieving your goal.
• Give up the belief that you canít achieve the body youíve always dreamed about. See it first in your mind, and then in the mirror.

Blocker No. 2: FearChange makes most of us nervous ñ- even if it is a positive change. You may not be consciously aware of the fear you have of getting into shape. Until you conquer this fear, your weight loss efforts will be blocked.Professional speaker and author, Anthony Robbins, has outlined three specific beliefs to conquer fear and instantly create a lasting change.

• Believe that something must change. You canít be wishy-washy about it. You canít be considering it. Youíve got to be rock solid.
• Believe that you must change it. You canít pass the buck of responsibility and expect to lose weight. Itís on your shoulders. Other people will prove to be great assets in your journey, but in the end you are the one who is going to make it happen. You have to want this weight loss enough to make it your personal mission.
• Believe you can change it. You may have failed in the past, but that doesnít matter. When you put your mind to it, youíre able to do amazing things.

Blocker No. 3: ExcusesAn excuse takes less effort than an action, but the action taker always has the advantage. Donít allow excuses to ruin your life.

• Focus on the big reason you want to lose weight. Make a list of the benefits youíll enjoy once you achieve your goal, and read them first thing each morning.
• Remember that you can only have two things in life: excuses or results. Which do you want?

Blocker No. 4: CommitmentHow many times have you tried to lose weight, only to give up a week or two later? We live in a commitment-phobic world, so itís no wonder that you routinely abandon your goals. If you truly want to lose weight then your commitment to the process is a must.

• The margin between success and failure is bridged by commitment. Donít give up until your goal has been achieved.
• Treat exercise with the same importance as a work meeting, and youíll never skip it at the last minute. Find three available 60-minute time slots in your schedule and mark them (in pen) on your calendar.

Blocker No.5: DietIf you consistently eat the wrong food, your weight loss efforts will be in vain. Stop eating junk. Processed foods, refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup do not belong in your diet, if you want to be in great shape. Cut these items out of your diet and replace them with whole foods like lean meats, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and fruits.

• Donít eat processed foods. They contain tons of chemicals and empty calories that will make you sick and fat.
• Fat contains twice the caloric density of protein and carbohydrates, so make sure to limit the amount you consume. Eat lots of lean proteins and wholesome carbohydrates from plants and whole grains
• Vegetables, whole grains, fruits, nuts and seeds are filled with fiber and antioxidants, which are vital for healthy weight loss.

Blocker No. 6: PatienceIt takes time to transform your body from fat to fit, although you want it to happen overnight. Remind yourself that it took time to put the weight on, so it will take time to take the weight off. When you find your patience wavering, or when you encounter a frustrating plateau, do the following:

• Review your goal. Is it specific and measurable? Is it small and attainable, rather than monumental? Focus on your goal when the going gets tough.
• Make each workout a new experience. Challenge your body with different resistance, new exercises and a varied pace.
• Remember that anyone can have one great workout, but that wonít get you the body you want. The only way to achieve your goal is by consistently exercising and eating right.

Write it downEven if you think you are limiting calories, you wonít know unless you do a little research. Get a small notebook to carry with you, and jot down everything you eat for an entire week. Be sure to include the exact amount you eat of each food item. At the end of the week, tally up the amount youíve taken in each day, and figure out how many calories you eat on an average day.Review your daily entries for items with empty calories ñ- like cookies, candy or soda pop. Then, eliminate them, if you want to lose weight. http://www.perfectfitwc.com