Permanent changes start with you

If you want to lose the few extra pounds you've added over the last couple of years, the best — and most permanent — way is to change your current lifestyle.

Your lifestyle is made up of the habits and routines that you have made a part of your life.

You can achieve permanent weight loss by simply acquiring new positive habits that provide weight loss as a benefit and get rid of the habits that will hinder your success.

What is a positive habit? A positive habit is simply a habit that produces positive benefits, actions and attitudes that you want to acquire and make a part of your lifestyle.

Why are positive habits so powerful? Because habits by their very nature, whether they are good or bad are automatic. After a period of time they can become permanent. It is really very simple: Just make one change at a time and before you know it you will be well on your way toward your goal. Plus, you will have more energy and feel much better.

Keep in mind that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so be patient. Remember that positive habits have positive benefits and you will reap those benefits for as long as you maintain that habit. So now that we know what positive habits are, and how to acquire them, let’s look at some simple positive habits that will help you achieve permanent weight loss.

Eating out and custom orders

When you eat out, make it a habit to request how your food is prepared. You should never feel like you have to accept food items exactly as they are described on the menu.

Most restaurants will happily prepare your meal in different ways if possible — all you have to do is ask. You can request that they bake or broil items that are usually fried. And, a refreshing news flash, you don’t have to accept the potato, select a green vegetable instead.

Salad dressing

Always remember to ask for salad dressing on the side. Salad dressing can be one of the biggest sources of fat in a person’s diet. Some interesting studies have recently found that many women get most of their fat from dairy products, margarine, mayonnaise and salad dressing.

By making it a habit to order salad dressing on the side, you can control the amount and type of dressing you put on your salads — and reduce the amount of fat and calories that you consume.

Small changes, big results

Remember that sometimes, small changes in your lifestyle can result in big results to your fitness levels and your overall health.

Walk this way (or that way)

You could easily save 100-300 calories per meal, just by watching what you eat. Although good quality nutrition is an extremely important factor in losing weight, it is equally important to move your body every day. Yep. Every. Single. Day.

An exercise program doesn’t have to be boring, nor does it have to hurt. Contact a personal trainer that you trust and get started today.

In a nutshell, it’s up to you! If you want a different result, perhaps you should take a different path.

Natalie Dreger is a certified fitness professional and can be reached at nataliedreger.com.