The Simplicity of Weight Loss

By Christian DeKnock on June 13, 2012

Scaling Back the Numbers on the Scale

Weight loss: It is the thing we often desire most, but focus on the least. We all yearn to see the little dial on our scales creep closer and closer to that elusive “target weight,” yet we rarely actually do what is necessary to achieve it. In this bustling, 21^st-century society we live in, we are always searching for the “magic bullet”: that one critical component that will somehow make everything work out. We try pills, fad diets, and juice fasts that may take weight off at first, but maintaining that weight loss is extremely difficult.

As it turns out, there isn’t a one-stop-shop for weight loss, but rather a very simple, proven system that takes weight off and keeps weight off. To convince you, a brief history of my weight loss journey: On February 10, 2011, I weighed 222 pounds: my highest weight ever. As of today, I weigh 140 pounds, have a body fat percentage of roughly 9%, and have completed three marathons in six months.

So what is this proven formula for scaling back the numbers on the scale? How did I achieve a weight loss of over 80 pounds and, more importantly, how did I keep the weight off? The only proven formula for weight loss has been and will always be the same: expend more calories than one takes in. That’s it.

This simple formula is often overlooked because at face value it appears to be “too simple.” We overly complicate the equation and, by doing so, already set ourselves up for failure. Don’t be fooled by these notions that weight loss is ridiculously hard and time consuming. Is it indeed a lot of work and something that takes true dedication and commitment to? Absolutely; but, in it is in committing one’s self and accomplishing the goals we set for ourselves that we attain true happiness.

Lastly, don’t convince yourself that it is too hard or it will take too long: these fallacies are you building up walls and barriers of changing yourself!

Eat right and exercise: the only two ingredients to a healthy weight and lifestyle.