First Things First

Anyone who wants to lose weight always has I lot of questions, but the first question I am most often asked is, “Should I go on a diet?”.

Unfortunately, that's not a "yes" or "no" question. My answer is based on some really old advice: Know thyself.

Truthfully, I can’t tell you whether or not you’ll need to go on a diet to lose weight; but by doing a little soul-searching (or, trial and error), you can answer this for yourself.

What Works?

Many people follow set diets to lose weight and some of them keep it off; quite a few others simply follow a “DIY” plan of cutting calories, reducing portions, and making healthier choices. Which way will work for you? You may not know until you try.

But you may want to consider that over the last few years, I’ve met a lot more people who were able to lose and keep the weight off by DIY-ing.

Learn how to start walking for weight loss.

A pedometer can cost just a few dollars but it can be an invaluable tool to get you motivated to exercise.

Pedometers are a great way to get and stay motivated in your walking routine. And they’re really simple to use, too. Read on to learn more.

What kind of pedometer should I get?
Like a lot of other gadgets, pedometers come in different sizes, brands, and varieties. On average they cost between $12 and $30, depending on how many "bells and whistles" they have.

You can get one that is very discreet if you'd like to wear it all day long or at work. Mine is a little larger than a 50-cent piece; my friend's resembles a pager.

A simple pedometer only records the number of steps you take based on your body's movement. There is a tiny apparatus within your pedometer that moves each time you move your hip in order to take a step.The pedometer "clicks over" with every step you take.

Learn why walking is the ideal exercise to begin during initial weight loss efforts.

Why Walk?
It's time to start walking for weight loss. Walking is the ideal exercise for those of us with weight issues. It is a natural body movement (Kick boxing? Not so much.) and doesn't require any special coordination skills. It works our muscles in a consistent, uniform fashion, making it virtually free of risk of injury.

Even if you're significantly overweight or obese, you can walk for weight loss. It may sound like an exhausting proposition -- studies have proven that obese individuals exert more energy to walk than those of lower weight. But if you begin today by simply walking to the end of your block, or even just to your mailbox and back, it's a start.

Another reason to say yes to walking is the fact that more people tend to stick with walking in the long run than any other form of exercise. Walkers also tend to exercise more often and for longer duration than joggers, for example.