Health clubs have all the equipment to help you lose weight and keep it off but the problem is most people either do the wrong exercises or stop going to the facilities. Using the weight machines will not make you lose weight. You should use the aerobic machines such as Lifecycle, Stairmaster or Treadmill. Any exercise that will increase your heart rate for a duration of 15 to 30 minutes without stopping. The weight machines build and tone muscles, it does not help you lose weight unless you do circuit training.

What if I blow my diet for the day, should I keep eating anything I want?

This is the "all or nothing" attitude. Don't give yourself permission to keep overeating after you blown your diet. The "all or nothing" attitude is very self defeating. Don't dwell on the fact that you ate the wrong foods (you're going to have bad days), but don't swing the other way and keep eating the wrong foods just because you didn't stick to your diet.

Is all fast food fattening?

There are some low fat foods at these restaurants such as grilled chicken, sandwiches (light mayonnaise), baked potatoes, salads, pancakes, low fat ice cream, chicken and rice bowls, diet sodas etc. The trick is to avoid the high fat sauces that come with these foods. A hamburger without the fattening sauce is not a bad meal and is only mildly fatty. You dramatically increase the fat and calories by adding French fries.

Do I have to exercise to lose weight?

Exercise helps increase your body metabolism which helps you lose weight but weight loss comes from managing your food (calorie) intake everyday. Losing weight should be the result of a permanent change in diet along with regular exercise. You can workout 7 days a week and not lose a pound if you have bad eating habits.

How Much Should I Exercise for my weight loss program?

How many days during the week should I exercise? How long should I exercise? What's the best exercise to lose weight? These are the most frequently asked questions. Our answer........Any exercise is good -- anytime, anyplace, anywhere. S

Exercise is very beneficial over the long term so anything that you do will burn extra calories. The key is consistency. If you walk 10 minutes 3 days a week, you will have burned 1400 extra calories in 2 months. If you walk consistently at a fast pace for 30 minutes, 3 times a week, you will burn roughly 3240 extra calories per month. The point is exercise is not an all or nothing activity. If you do just a little, your body expends more energy and therefore will help you lose weight and keep it off over the long run.

Most people are looking for the quick fix such as the "Lose 10 pounds in 1 week" scheme, and they fall prey to all kinds of diet gimmicks. If you can exercise consistently and eat the correct portions of food, you will lose weight week after week, month after month. Here are some suggestions to help make your exercise work for you in a smart weight loss program:

Find an exercise that you can do on a regular basis
If you can't leave the house, consider using a stationary bike
Write down and post the time and day you will exercise

Make it comfortable (don't schedule jogging in the middle of winter with snow and ice - consider indoor exercises)

Connect with others. Find an exercise class with other people (YMCA, YWCA, Fitness Club, Community Center)

Schedule exercise at times best suited to your daily schedule.
Planning a consistent realistic exercise schedule will help you maintain your overall weight loss program.