The photo onwas taken in 2004. It shows the level of fitness I achieved when exercising approximately 15 hours each week, transitioning from near-obesity to peak fitness.

I no longer spend that much time exercising, and I focus more on writing than martial arts, but this serves as an example of what a typical person can do with nutrition and exercise if they put their mind to it.

To be clear, there are many reasons why people put on extra body weight, including under-active thyroid, sugar addictions, trace minerals depletion, vitamin D deficiencies and more.

If you're going to set some weight management goals, I strongly advise you to first take care of all the basics by asking yourself these ten powerful questions:

#1) Are you taking enough vitamin D yet? Without vitamin D, weight loss almost never works. (I take 5,000 - 10,000 IUs daily. You should research the right dose for you.)

#2) Have you stopped drinking liquid sugars yet? If you're still drinking corn syrup (sodas), forget about weight loss. You first need to quit the soda habit.

#3) Are you consuming enough fresh fruit and vegetables? Are you juicing yet? You'll need to do both of these things on a regular basis.

#4) Are you exercising yet? You'll need a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise every day to start dropping pounds. This can be brisk walking, swimming or cycling. Weight training is also very valuable if you do it safely.

#5) Have you addressed the emotional reasons why you overeat? Inside every person who isn't happy with their body weight is someone who still has some emotional stuff to work out. Get some support from friends, family or professionals. Find out WHY you tend to overeat. Explore your habits and behavioral patterns. Are there certain things that trigger over-eating?

#6) Do you have enough trace minerals in your system? Many people who crave "salty snacks" are actually extremely deficient in minerals. They crave salt (minerals), but they misinterpret the craving as a desire to eat empty calories. Your body needs a certain level of minerals to function, and when it lacks those minerals, it will generate internal cravings to motivate you to try to find them. People who make an effort to supplement trace minerals (and quality full-spectrum salts) often find their cravings for salty snacks literally vanish.

#7) Have a reason WHY you wish to achieve the best weight for yourself. You need an emotional "anchor" to give you the behavioral leverage to get there. Are you losing weight to feel better about yourself? To improve your longevity? To be more physically attractive? To compete with a sibling or friend? To go to a class reunion or wedding? Figure out your top reason for wanting to achieve your weight goals and use that reason as leverage to guide you in that direction.

#8) Have you committed the TIME to realistically accomplish your weight loss goals? You'll need to set aside the time for exercise as well as time for fresh food preparation. Figure a minimum if one hour per day, and it can easily be two hours total.

#9) Do you have the support of your family and friends? It's very important to discuss your goals with your immediate family and get their support. If you're trying to lose weight, they need to refrain from baking cookies and filling the house with that aroma, for example. They need to verbally support your efforts and not tease you or discourage you. Have a serious talk before you begin.

#10) Prepare yourself to be hungry and know that it's okay. If you eat every time you feel hungry, you will never achieve your weight loss goals. Dropping excess body fat will absolutely require experiencing feelings of hunger. Know that hunger does not mean you are dying. You're gonna be fine. Don't let your body trick you into thinking you desperately need to intake more calories. Become familiar with a bit of hunger and learn to live with it during your weight loss journey. It's okay to feel hungry! Cowboy up and move on.

http://www.naturalnews.com/z038968_weight_loss_supplements_fitness.html