I know what you’re thinking. Effective weight control, I wish! What if I told you I have discovered seven simple steps to living at your ideal body weight for the rest of your life? Would you like to hear more about it?

If you’re like over 90 million Americans today, effective weight control is just an unrealistic dream. Why? Because they’re clinically obese. Do you have challenges with weight gain? Do you "always" eat until you’re full…and then some? Is uncontrolled weight gaining a major concern for you now? Have you searched for other solutions only to come up empty? If so, I’m not surprised.

Losing weight is one of the most difficult challenges an overweight person can have. Unfortunately, for so many, losing the weight isn’t nearly as fun as gaining the weight was. It requires a great amount of discipline, self motivation, and perseverance.

Many people take the wrong approach to weight loss. They spend thousands of dollars on one weight loss program after another one, never finding anything that really works. The reason why dieting alone doesn’t work is because effective weight loss can only be accomplished through raising your body's metabolism and adding some form of resistance training to a daily workout. Basically, a major lifestyle change has to occur.

If you have a serious need for weight control, especially if your weight is currently out of control, this next section is for you.

Begin a daily workout regimen as quickly as possible. Exercise is at the top of my list because I believe many people get into trouble when they change their diet and refuse to change their physical activities. The right foods minus exercise equals no lasting weight loss results.

Evaluate your eating habits. Do you regularly starve yourself or always crave food? If so, immediately put consulting with a dietician on the top of your to do list. Consistently eating a decent portion without overeating should be the goal.

Develop a plan. Once you have decided to take action, create a simple, easy to follow game plan. Decide the types of food you’ll eat, how long your workout’s will be, etc.

Don’t concern yourself with needing to lose a lot of weight quickly. As far as weight loss is concerned, slow and steady really does win the race. Remember, you probably didn’t gain the weight in two weeks, so it’s certain it will take longer than that to lose it.

Get a workout partner. This step is critical because of many factors. First, accountability will keep you from making excuses or even taking days off. Second, you both will stay motivated as you are working out and losing weight together. Third, you can reward one another when you’ve reached certain goals.

Educate yourself. If you will be successful with your new decision, inundate your mind with materials on living healthy. Read books that will inspire you to stay on course without deviating. Reading the success stories of others gives us confidence that weight loss is possible for us as well.

Develop persistence as a way of life. Decide now not to ever quit. If you break the diet and eat McDonald’s one day, don’t give up. Tomorrow is a new day. You are in control of this thing called life. Get back into the ring and keep fighting until you are the champion of your weight.

Coming from a man who have struggled with being overweight most of my life, the above seven steps have changed my look, my feelings, and given me a new life. They may seem overly simplistic, but they really work. For your personal weight control, start now and don’t you ever give up.