It's time to PUSH! Chalene Johnson is the one to help you get there!

It's time to PUSH! Chalene Johnson is the one to help you get there!

What does a weightloss article have anything to do with building a business? Because they are very related… and one without the other can be the detriment to your online career! So without further delay, let me introduce you to my friend, mentor & the gal who helped me get my HOT body back earlier this year…. Chalene Johnson!

3 Weight loss Weapons every Woman Must Have!
By: Chalene Johnson

It doesn’t cost a dime to lose weight. Watch Survivor or go a few days without enough money to buy food and you’ll know that’s a fact! And ya know what? You don’t need a computer to run a business. But if you’re serious about success you invest in the right tools!

Times are tough. Money is tight. I’m not suggesting that you have to buy a bunch of gadgets, but I do want to shoot straight with you, give you the edge and help you make informed decisions about your investments. And the truth is, the right tools save you time, establish accountability, get you motivated and build your foundation. You wouldn’t trust a home constructed by a builder with “make-shift” tools.

Remember when you were a kid, how excited you were about your new clothes and a cool lunchbox for the first day of school? Or how cool it was to move into your first apartment and buy your first broom, ladder, and laundry hamper? First day of school, first year out on your own, empirically both scary. You weren’t scared, you were excited about your new “stuff,” a fresh start, a chance to reinvent yourself. The tools make your journey easier, more exciting and convenient. The right tools make your success more likely.

These tools spark enthusiasm, the fuel your spirit needs. I’ve listed them in order of impact. That is to say the items at the top of the list have been proven to have the most dramatic impact on the success of the people I work with. Spend your money wisely. Each of these investments you can expect to use daily.

#1: Diet and Exercise Journal or App

You already know I’m a big fan of anything that fits conveniently into the palm of your hand. The more convenient, the more likely we are to adopt the habit of accurate calorie and exercise journaling. Your Smartphone is really the way to go! However, some really great sits also provide free journaling tools and community accountability, such as Sparkpeople.com, Teambeachbody.com and Livestrong.com.

In terms of physically taking a pen to paper, I LOVE the FitBook! It’s simple, inclusive, small and easy to use! (http://www.getfitbook.com) I’ve listed your journal or journaling app as the most important tool. However, it’s only as effective as it’s honest record keeper. Um, and yes, those two last bites of Johnnie’s pancakes need to be recorded! When in doubt, round up!

#2: Personal Calorie Monitoring Device

You need to create a deficit of 3,500 calories to lose a pound. The problem is most people have no idea how many calories they have to burn to create that deficit unless they know how many calories they (with all their individual variables) burn per day.

Research has shown that the average person overestimates the calories they burn by 25 percent and underestimate the number they consume by 40 percent!

Don’t be that person!

You can track your calories for free with varying degrees of accuracy using a number of free sites found by doing a simple Google search. However, if you are sick and tired of playing the guessing game, if you have contemplated another diet plan, having food delivered, or worse yet a liposuction consultation, the cost of this “must have weapon” is small pittance. These devices are remarkable! Other than living in a lab, this is about the best way to know what’s going on with your personal metabolism, sleep patterns and caloric burn.

Keep in mind there’s a big difference between a digital calorie monitoring device and a heart rate monitors. The devices I want you to consider using measure calorie output 24 hours a day! Knowledge is power! Think of them as a metabolism monitors and a truth detector all in one!

When someone says to me, “Chalene, I’m doing everything right, I’ve reduced my calories, I’m exercising everyday and I just can’t lose weight.” I strongly encourage them to get one of these devices. I’ve seen hundreds of men and women break long lasting weight loss plateaus by “knowing their numbers.” When I started wearing one just a few years ago I was shocked by how much I was over estimating my calorie burn in certain exercises and underestimating my daily activity rate. The information allowed me to restructure my workout schedule to get the most bang for my buck! Call me a gadget geek, but these things fascinate me!

FitBit – $99 at http://www.fitbit.com Love the simplicity, small size, accurate info, no need for an additional subscription or digital display to read your information.

GoWearFit at http://www.amazon.com $179 Made by the same company as the bodybugg, (but a slightly different software and customer support system)

Bodybugg at http://www.24hourfitness.com $199 This is the calorie monitoring device worn by contestants of the Biggest Loser. I’ve worked with several contestants once they’ve been sent home and prepare for their final weigh on the finale show. I fell in love with the Bodybugg technology and the level of customer support. Less expensive, less technical options are out there, but this one (at time of print) is my current pick!

#3: Portable Food Containers

When it comes to preparation, convenience is the key. You need the following sizes and quantities:

Two ½-cup containers. This size is perfect for most quick concoctions in the recipe section

Four 1-cup containers. These hold ½ cup of brown rice and 5 ounces of chicken

Two ¼-cup containers. These work well for sauces and condiments

I know you’ve probably seen this thing or something like it advertised on TV or on the shelf at your local discount store and wondered if they work. They do! As a matter of fact, I bought 20 sets last year and gave them away to all my fit minded friends! You can find them on-line at a variety of on-line retailers for between $9.95 and $19.95. I love the neat and tidy stackable system of Smart Spin Storage brand, but any brand will do!

Now I know I promised you three, but here’s a fourth one just in case you’ve got a little extra room in your budget and you love music as much as I do!

# 4: iPod and a Heart Pounding Playlist

Music is a universal motivator. Music boosts your spirits, puts a pep in your step and can dramatically increase your energy level. Music motivates us to do more and push harder. If you have a Smartphone like the Droid or iPhone, download a killer playlist. Daily someone sends me a message asking how to find the motivation to exercise, and this is undoubtedly my go-to answer. There are certain songs that no matter what you’re doing, or how you’re feeling, you can’t help but get up and move. Make sure those are on your list!

While the truth is you don’t need to spend another penny to “make it happen,” why not spend a few bucks to give yourself the edge! If you’ve got the coin, or consider your health important enough to forego a few non essentials this month, these are your must have weapons to win the war on weight loss! For more info on my latest book and our PUSH Jump Start party, CLICK HERE!