For those who are trying to lose weight, the fastest growing trend is not a special workout routine or weird and wonderful diet; it is an adjustment in lifestyle. Are you tired of dieting and calorie counting that is not really producing the results that you want?

Perhaps you are one of the many gym goers, working out until you have nothing left to give. At the end of the day, however, you find that all that work does not amount to much in terms of weight loss.

Most people try fad diets at one time or another, even though they do not produce the desired results. Of course you need to exercise, but this is not the magic answer either. According to a wide range of credible studies, the only truly effective way of losing weight is to make a dramatic lifestyle change. A lot of people that have tried doing this can lose 60 or more pounds and are able to keep that weight away as well. This is the way they did it.

1. Eating well. There is nothing mysterious about calories. When you eat more calories than you burn off, your weight will go up. Still, you do not have to worry about calories if you make smart choices from the get go. Eating lots of produce and whole grains along with low-fat proteins are the ideal foods. These should be consumed in appropriately sized portions.

2. Exercising sometimes is all it takes; perhaps an hour of walking to lose weight. That’s all. They don’t join a gym, buy equipment or struggle with exercise routines. Exercise needs to be regular, and mildly challenging to be effective.

3. Strong support. If you’re able to get people around you that put out positive energy towards you, it’s easier to lose weight. However, if you keep going out with people who pay no attention to healthy living or who do not encourage you to be mindful of your health, you have a bigger chance of failing.

D. Proper sleep habits. When you do not get enough rest, your body does not make enough insulin, which is important when it comes to overeating. When you only get a couple of hours of shuteye, you are going to make poor decisions when choosing what foods to eat. You get more of the energy you need to stay active and exercise when you’re properly rested, too. Insulin is also a contributor to a healthy metabolism.

Five: You need to document your progress. More powerful than any diet book or piece of gym equipment is the simple journal. Tracking weight lost, food eaten, and exercise taken makes it a lot easier to get to your overall goals. Doing this will allow you to see what things work best for you and help you to maintain awareness of your daily behaviors. You may notice certain patterns emerging in your journal, and these can be easily changed once they are identified. Still uneasy about keeping a journal of what you eat? Consider that those who keep track at least six days a week are more likely to lose twice as much weight as those who don’t. Keep a food journal to document what you eat and how much you exercise for optimal success.

A change in lifestyle is what will help lose weight on a regular basis and keep it off for a long time to come. These benefits are what you should be striving for. Get realistic about your goals. Follow this lifestyle change and realize that the fads don’t work.