I lost 27 pounds so far this year, mostly from just going regularly to the gym. I do at least 20 minutes of cardio because it takes 20 minutes for your body to start buring fat and fat is much harder to burn than carbs or simple sugars and proteins. Three times per week, because your muscles need about 48 hours of rest between strength training workouts, I also do the weight machines. Building muscle increases your metabolism significantly and muscle also burns fat calories much more quickly. So, you really benefit the most from doing both regularly. Three times is beneficial, but if you can get there four to six times per week, the more the better, the more you will see good results. What I also did was cut my portions of food. I eat everything and anything I want, but I try really hard to eat less of it. We go to Pizza Hut, I allow myself two pieces and I stop. We go out for ice-cream, I get one scoop or the small sundae. I fix my favorite meal for dinner and I do not go back for seconds. I think this is much better than some specific diet, at least it is for me, because if I only allowed myself certain things I would never be able to stick to it for life and if you don't want to gain it all back, you have to stick to a specific diet for life. My doctor always told me to just eat less and move more and I am convinced now that she is right.

Nancy