5 Fatal Mistakes of Overweight People

What is the #1 thing that overweight people have in common?

Would you say gentics?

Not having a gym membership?

How about a lack of motivation?

Although both of the above answers have some validity to them, none of them "takes the cake". Truth is, the #1 thing that overweight people have in common is that they make the same mistakes over and over.

I've said many times that no matter what your genetic limitations may be, EVERYONE---and I do mean everyone can have an attractive body and look great.

Go to any gym and observe the bodies of some of the people there. You will see people who obviously have some of the greatest genetics on the planet. You will also people who may not have the "perfect body" but they work really hard and they look great.

Most people will find this a comforting observation, since the vast majority of us---myself included---do not have the "perfect body" or the "world's greatest genetics".

So if its true that everyone can achieve physical beauty of some sort, then what could possibly be the "big stumbling blocks" that keep people who have the potential to look great from realizing their potential. What are some of the things that may be keeping you from reaching your full potential as well?

I've broken this matter down into 5 Fatal Mistakes that people who do NOT reach their physical potential all have in commmon.

1. A generally negative outlook on your physical potential

   Despite any efforts to lose weight, the average person has a sub-par opinion of what level of fitness they can achieve with their bodies.

   After being bombarded with the beautiful bodies that we see both in the media and out on the streets, self doubt will often creep in and do some damage to your level of expectation for yourself.

   The mere fact that you can't have Suzy Q's hour-glass figure or John Doe's chest can often be enough to make you "throw in the towel" with your own goals.

   Although it is a reality that there will be things that you won't be able to achieve physically, you cannot afford to lose sight of what you CAN achieve.

   One much healthier way to go about all of this is to find someone with a similar body type to yours that has worked hard and maintains an attractive physique. Then, pattern yourself after THAT person. If you can, it would also be a good idea to find out what exercises and diet plans tend to work for them. This can give you a lot of insight into what may very well work for you.

   No matter who you are, there is bound to be SOMETHING about your body that is redeeming. If you do not know what it is, ask friends and family. You should generally be able to depend on their honesty.

   Then follow a strategy of really playing to your strengths and then working twice as harder to improve on the aspects of your body where you may not be so blessed.

2. Unrealistic expectations

   This one is a CLASSIC cause of failure in weight loss and fitness. In addition to a negative outlook on what they can achieve with your own body, it is common to also feel that if you get on an exercise and diet program that you will magically have someone else's body at the end of it.

   There is also a common notion that the same weight and fat that you've spent the past 5 or 10 years diligently building is going to supernaturally disappear in a month or two.

   If you've thought either of the above (and most of us have at some time), don't beat yourself up about it. Just realize that both of these ideas will set you up for failure, and then adjust your thoughts and expectations accordingly.

   For starters, one thing about us that never changes is our general body structure. We have it for life. The good news, however, is that no matter what your body structure is it can be shaped and toned into something that you can be proud of. The mistake here is to insist on having your body's structure morph into someone else's.

   When it comes to the speed of weight loss, it is generally accepted that anything more than a 2 lb. weight loss in a given week (on average) is unhealthy.

   There are a lot of "quick weight loss" diet plans on the market that promise double-digit weight loss in just a week or two---sometimes in a few days.

   If these plans are effective, you generally just be losing water that has been retained in the muscle tissue and under your skin. You may also lose some muscle tissue, which you want to retain at all costs, since this is what will give your body its attractive shape.

   Run as fast as you can in the opposite direction when you come across programs that make such claims. Even if you do lose, it won't be the fat that is stored in your body that you are getting rid of.

3. Returning to old habits after progress has been made

   This is also referred to as going on a "diet" and not changing your Lifestyle. There is a very wise saying that "doing the same thing will get you the same thing".

   What this means for you is that reverting back to any old habits that have caused you to gain weight before will have you gain it again. This is guaranteed.

   Now many people feel somewhat restricted when they change the way they eat in order to lose weight. Being sympathetic to this, I've made the YourBestBodyNOW Weight Loss Program a little more balanced than other programs so that you don't "lose your mind" while losing weight.

   Another reason that I put extra attention on balancing out the diet and nutrition portion of the program is so that when you have lost the weight that you wanted to lose, you have something that you can maintain. This way you are able to have some of the things that you want to eat while still staying trim and fit because you are following the basic rules that give those results.

4. Not making your body a priority

   One of the biggest complaints of people who would like to be in better shape is "I don't have enough time".

   The truth is, life is just a lot busier and more complicated than it used to be. Whether its long hours at work or commuting, balancing career and family, or having more things to do than hours in a day, its true that most people simply have little or no time to worry about what they eat and how much they exercise.

   What is also true is that if you really want to whip yourself into shape and stay there, you absolutely MUST find a way to fit these things into your schedule.

   There are many things that I do in my weight loss program to help you out with managing your program to fit your busy schedule, but you've got to do the rest. Plain and simple.

   This doesn't mean that you should shirk your responsibilities at work or at home. It also doesn't mean that you have to live in the gym or spend a lot of precious time counting calories.

   What it does mean, however, is that you will need to start making yourself and your body a priority if you can truly ever expect to get any results out of it whatsoever.

5. Jumping from one weight loss plan to another

   Many people approach weight loss programs like a sampler platter, trying everything available and never committing to any one thing that works.

   I don't completely blame the average jane or joe for this.

   The fitness industry literally floods the media with programs and gadgets---all promising a world of results.

   To add insult to injury, the majority of what's out there either

   1. doesn't really work
   2. lacks motivational training, or
   3. leaves you without a routine that you can maintain after the program is over

   So I understand completely why you may have already tried 2, 12, or 20 (or more) weight loss programs and products by now.

   The trick to it all is finding a program that truly works for you and helps you to achieve the weight loss results that you desire.

   Once this happens, you can always go back to that same program if you end up gaining a little (or a lot of) weight that you want to get rid of. Don't fall for the newest next best thing on the market. Find what works and stick with it.

Do yourself and huge favor and keep these 5 mistakes of overweight people in mind. Stay the course of health and fitness and reap the benefits for life.