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Regular exercise and eating right are the two necessities of weight loss. Long term weight loss is only achieved by long term changes in eating and exercise habits. Changes in those habits for an extended long term plan are known as lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes, as opposed to temporary detours from one’s usual eating and exercising habits, are permanent adjustments.

Lifestyles changes are only successful and lasting with the right state of mind. When embarking on the journey of long term weight loss by eating right, it must be accepted that the changes do not constitute a diet. It must be clear in one’s mind that this change is permanent. It is a change in thought as well as behavior. Eating right as a lifestyle change means consuming more fruits and vegetables, cutting out fried and greasy foods and resisting the urge to over eat. These improvements in one’s eating habits go on after the weight goal is reached to maintain the weight loss.

To accept a real lifestyle change in terms of exercise means that the exercise continues long after the weight comes off. Losing weight was only half of the goal. The lower weight needs to be maintained. One must exercise for 60 minutes five days a week. Once the weight is gone, one must exercise for 30 minutes five days a week for the rest of one’s life.

Remember, this is not a crash diet or temporary fitness program; this is a long term weight loss plan. It can only be obtained through lifestyle changes. Over time, one will realize that he is planning his days differently, always making room in his day for exercise. He will realize that he is automatically making smart choices at the grocery store. The lifestyle change will have been achieved at that point.