Getting In Shape

Hi gang. Regular readers will know of my past health issues. Long story short: while on crutches, I got FAT. Too many hot dogs, poor nutrition and no exercise made me gain nearly 40 pounds-that's like attaching my 6 year old to my frame!

Well, I have decided to do something about it (and still save room for hot dogs 2-3 times a week).

Watch this video and see. Then go check out My Six Pack Abs Journey.

Weight Loss Resolution Time

It's a new year and most folks have made some sort of resolution to better themselves in 2008. January is peak time for the weight loss industry. Losing weight is probably the single most popular new year's resolution and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of companies pitching diet plans to those that need to shed some pounds.

As a Hot Dog Truck operator, I am not in the business of losing weight. My customers are usually not the weight conscious type. After all, if you plan on losing weight, you wouldn't want to be chowing down on these on a regular basis:

But I digress. Losing weight is serious business. I find it difficult to maintain my "svelte" 200 pound frame. Many folks find keeping their weight down tough as they get older. Oftentimes losing weight involves serious lifestyle changes. You need to focus more on your eating habits: what you eat and when. You also need to get some sort of regular exercise, even if it's just a brisk walk on a daily basis. For a couch potato who snacks incessantly, these can be tough obstacles to overcome.

So where does one turn to for help losing weight? Many folks turn to pre-packaged food plans or diet groups to help get them started. It can be confusing to know which is best for you. There's a site called Weight-Loss-Diet-Help.com that can make it easier for you. They offer diet information in the form of articles about weight loss and they also compare different diet plans so you can find the one that works best for your particular situation.

If you're serious about losing weight, getting good advice is key. You don't want to get into a quick fix type of diet program where you lose a ton of weight only to gain it back in a few months. You need to start on the road to sound nutrition and regular exercise to maintain your weight and your health. Weight-Loss-Diet-Help.com is a good place to start.

Hot Dog Diet

As the owner and operator of a Hot Dog Truck, I'm probably not the best person to be getting diet advice from. I'm not overweight, but if I ate hot dogs at every meal, I would be! I usually have one hot dog a day when I work-I call it my quality control check or, sometimes, LUNCH.

If you need to diet, pre-packaged diet plans are a good way to get started. Before you start such a diet, you should compare Medifast, Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers and other diet plans to see which one is going to work best for you. The biggest part of dieting is disciplining yourself to NOT eat all the "good" stuff that's going to make you fat. Pre-packaged meals are a good way to start building that discipline.

If you want to achieve permanent weight loss, you need to make some "foodstyle" changes. Giving up on soda and other high calorie drinks is a top priority-drink water instead. Soda has a ton of empty calories and many sodas have caffeine which actually makes you feel hungry. You also need to give up on junk food-have a piece of fruit instead. Eat good foods like lean meats and fish, vegetables and fruits, that way you get a nutritious meal and feel full so you won't need to snack on junk.

Exercise is important too. One of the reasons why diets fail so often is that people don't get exercise while they diet. You don't need to power lift, jog 8 miles or do pilates- a simple walk can do the trick. Walking for a half an hour three or four times a week will get the blood pumping and burn those pounds right off before you know it.

With the right approach and the right information, your diet can be a success. Just make sure you work a hot dog or two into the mix every week!