Diets don't work.

Diets don't work. Diet meaning that you spend a set amount of time to reach a goal of weight or inches. I say diets don't work and you are probably sitting there like, "Whit. Weren't you just going on and on about how much weight you lost during your challenge?" Well yes. Diets techincally speaking can have the capability to get you to your goal.

However, when you diet for say...three months then the rest of the year revert to your old habits you are actually doing more harm to your body and specifically your metabolism. That goal you were so excited to reach will be another shot in the distance.

For true results, for lasting results you have to try and make it a lifestyle; something you stick to for the year and all the years after that. I'm not saying  you have to exercise heavily six days a week or drink a gallon of water 365 days a year, I'm just saying when you can get into a habit of wanting to work out three to five days a week and add water and clean eating to your life, it's really hard to revert back to unhealthy living.

All you need is 20 to 30 minutes of good exercise a day. Perhaps a walk one day, lifting another, and high intensity cardio for a couple others. It is important to note that if you are trying to lose weight, 30 minutes on an elliptical or treadmill everyday won't give you those results you want. You have to add strength exercises in order to build muscle that can burn. Investing in a couple weights was my best decision yet.

When it comes to eating, it is important to hold yourself accountable, but it's also equally important to not be killing yourself by strictly sticking to something. When you do that, you put this pressure on yourself and end up resenting the eating plan and clean eating and when it's done, excitedly jump into your bag of chips.

It's okay to "cheat" (I hate that word, you aren't doing anything wrong) It's okay to treat yourself. A lifestyle is a lifestyle and you can always jump back in the next day. Never feel guilty. I will tell you though, once you really start eating clean and exercising regularly, it's incredibly hard to simply fall back into bad habits. It becomes an addiction, steaming veggies and doing ab workouts.

So toss your "quick diet plans" out the window and make a real change. If you need a boost get a Beachbody program to help you set the stage and do your research. Don't get sucked into fads. Do something that will last.