You aren’t the only one asking the most common question. So how can I rid the fat FAST?

After all, you do want to look better naked, right?

It’s the time of year when we all start our fat and weight loss programs. And yet it discourages even the most motivated individual from sticking to their fat loss routine when their results don’t quite match the expectations. They set these unrealistic goals for themselves hoping to be one of those “overnight success” stories, ending up disappointed and disinterested. Because of the last minute nature of the demands placed on their customary lifestyle and schedule, these weight losers may only setting themselves up for failure. 

So while everyone is still HOT on their resolutions kick, here is a quick list of tips that may help you survive the typical “drop-off” and keep your SEXY on track during these shaky first months. They’re sure to get you ripped, lean and toned in no time.

1. Re-focus on your goal 

Take the time to sit down and really put some thought into what you are trying to accomplish. Reevaluate your fat loss goals and determine whether they are feasible. Ask yourself and be honest, “What is my motivation?” Set up some milestones towards your ultimate goal with a deadline in mind. Do you want to decrease your body fat or are you looking for a slimmer waist line? Are you looking for more definition in your legs or are you aiming for a chiseled upper body? Do you want to tighten, shape or build some rock solid glutes?

Keep in mind that you cannot “spot reduce” or choose to lose the fat from one specific area of the body. Be patient.

2. Measure it all and record

Get a body fat scale or hire a personal trainer to perform a proper assessment and body composition analysis. Stepping on a standard, run of the mill floor scale only displays your total weight and does not indicate your total lean to fat ratio. Having the proper balance is very important. Low percentages can cause a great deal of physiological challenges on the body. On the other hand, a high percentage can also be harmful. This knowledge will prove useful when establishing your baseline fitness level.

Take some “before” and “after” photos from every different profile perspective- frontal, rear and side shots. Seeing is believing. Being able to have a visual reference point is enough to keep most people motivated and focused. With each photo op, take accurate measurements of the circumference of all your major muscle groups. By collecting this data every now and then, you can actually plot your progress on a chart to gauge your progress – invaluable when you are trying to fuel your desire to move smarter and faster towards the finish line.

This is also helpful in determining whether you’re on or off course, so if need be, corrections can be made to get you back on track. An increase or decrease to your food intake or work output through strength and cardio training may be suggested here if not on course.

3. Sleep and recovery strategies

Most fitness newbs can also wash out from their quest to shed those pounds because of drastic drops in energy levels. Late night channel surfing in front of your TV is, often, a common cause for not getting enough rest. Staving off sleep for another hour beyond your normal shut eye to find out “who dunnit” will not make stripping that fat off your body any easier. By depriving yourself of sleep, you are not allowing your body to develop those fat burning muscle tissues necessary to accomplishing your goal. With a lack of sleep comes a lack of desire to push hard. No push=No change.

There is such a thing as “too much of a good thing.” Overtraining, in an attempt to cancel out all those days of not exercising, will only lead to you overworking yourself to the point of adrenal fatigue. That fatigue will only eat away at your intentions and kill any notion of making it a point of hitting the gym.

Aim for eight hours of sleep a night to keep your fitness program realistic. If need be, seek the help of a coach to assist you when assessing possible stumbling blocks on your way to success.

4. Assertiveness training

While your intentions may be wholehearted, keep in mind that results take time. Everyone in the world is extremely busy, elbow deep with commitments. Sometimes an over commitment of time is a challenge and this is when learning to say “NO” becomes essential to your success. It’s not selfishness we’re talking about here, but more about being realistic and committed to the goals we have set.

Making time for follow through should take priority over all those so called “personal obligations” that always seem to pop up at the most inopportune times. Don’t let that distract you from your target. If a situation comes up demanding you volunteer your personal time, pass on it. Stress management is learning how to say “NO”. You should’nt feel guilty about saying “no”. Your decision should be respected. Ask yourself where these feelings of guilt come from. Rid yourself of that unnecessary emotional baggage.

Life coaches and business advisors are helpful guides for those who need help identifying their strong points and weaknesses. They’ll help you work around your foibles and get you working optimally.

5. How to add 2 hours to a 24 hour day

Root out all the menial tasks in your daily routine and figure out a way to outsource them. Any thing from car maintenance to lawn work to grocery shopping can be delegated to someone with less responsibility, more free time and perhaps a vocation towards that particular task. By dishing off these errands, not only are you saving time, but you are also freeing up time in your schedule to perhaps “de-stress” with a relaxing massage or even some yoga.

6. Pick a time, gym or workout that fits your needs first, not someone else’s

For the many of us out there with all kinds of time restraints, finding time to hit the gym proves to be the hardest challenge. Workouts that reduce your stress levels are ideal. Unfortunately, during the first few months of resolution chasing when everyone is at their fiercest, it is common to find yourself in jammed conditions. Long commutes to and from the gym, crowded parking lots and rush hour gym crowds at the cardio machines can do damage to a person’s desire.

Start by joining a gym that is no more than fifteen minutes away from your home or work. Then get yourself a personal trainer to help you as your buffer when you get that urge to speed through or cut short your work out. That personal trainer will keep you focused and away from those chit chats with acquaintances that eat up more time than you had anticipated.

Personal trainers can also function as life coaches or mentors by passing onto you their knowledge and experiences. They are the ones, who are going to make it their mission to keep you focused and accountable every step of the way. They’ll be that voice of reason in your head telling you to snap out of your laziness- where you’ll be less likely to procrastinate and talk yourself out of the workouts.

Training in a private facility or in the great outdoors at a Naked Commando boot camp or a Super cardio maxed out session or even at home using bodyweight exercises can be viable option. Staying committed with a plan and being dutiful with your approach will make for a successful training session. Go at your own speed.

However, if you rather team up with a likeminded friend- try to avoid partnering up with someone that may be at a more advanced fitness level. You may be benefitting from the partnership, but, more than likely, they will not see enough benefits from the workouts to make it worth their time and effort. Adversely, pushing yourself to their limits may result in overtraining which could lead to serious injury or discouragement from unfair comparisons. Stick to your fitness routine long enough and you will naturally meet other likeminded training partners.

Less than five percent will stick to their fitness commitments—will you beat the odds?

What’s the RETURN of you investment? HEALTH IS WEALTH.