Here Is the Real Key to Weight Loss (Hint: It’s Not Diet or Exercise)

SavingsAngel: Weight loss, free fitness apps and staying motivated

Josh Elledge is chief executive "Angel" of SavingsAngel.com, a website that teaches consumers how to save money through a free money savings video eCourse and podcast. SavingsAngel also provides hundreds of 50 percent off or better deals each week to members by matching local grocery and drug store sales with its free database of over 5,000 accessible coupons.
Once my weight was as high as 230 pounds. It affected many areas of my health and impacted my ability to be a fun dad. Since then, I've lost more than 50 pounds. I used exercise and healthy eating habits, of course, but when I started losing weight, I also used free apps and motivational methods.
We have a great advantage with all the tools, information and communication we can access and use. In particular, I like three of them:
Accountability: When I first started, I used an anonymous blog and logged my food, exercise, and thoughts every day. It was a way to help me stay focused and feel a level of accountability.
Last year, I very publicly shared my week to week weight loss success with my SavingsAngel podcast fans which I'll be doing the same thing this year. Regardless of how you stay accountable, don't be too stubborn or embarrassed to have someone know about your new goals - even if within an online community. If you can tell at least one other person about your goals, and science says your chance of success will increase substantially.
Free fitness apps: Available on multiple platforms, some of my favorite free fitness apps are...
Lose It! - Described as being "designed with one goal", to help "you lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way. No magic pills, no crazy diets - just a simple, easy-to-use program that helps you stay in your calorie budget".
My Fitness Pal - Has a food section where you can see what others are eating, track your daily calories and get inspiration for healthy choices. It has an exercise section for ideas and to gauge the number of calories burned.
Map My Run or Map My Walk - built-in GPS records your distance and even suggests local routes.
Endomondo Sports Tracker - tracks duration, distance, calories burned, and more.
Sworkit - Circuit Training - guides you through no gym, no equipment workouts in strength training, cardio, yoga or stretching.
Encouragement: Four things I've found to be true, and that have helped me along my personal journey...
1.) To safely and effectively lose weight and get healthy, you need to create a calorie deficit. To do so, find a diet plan you can live with; and some way to move your body that you enjoy and will continue doing long term.
A savings tip on finding what you enjoy for exercise - Try before you buy!
Don't run out and buy a bunch of equipment or programs just to try something for the first time. Instead, take advantage of the free offers most fitness centers and calorie-burning classes are happy to give out. Try various forms of exercise, then decide to buy or not to buy.
Same goes for any change in diet. Try a small sampling, to see if you even like it, before buying a bunch of products or an entire cart full of special groceries.
2.) Don't feel like you have to do what others are doing - whether for a diet plan and for exercise. What you find fun to do, or are willing to give up, others might not have the least interest in. That's okay. This is about YOU - not them. Just be sure that any plan you decide to follow is balanced, healthy and safe.
3.) Experts recommend a slow and steady approach of about one to two pounds lost a week, so don't get discouraged if your loss isn't fast. A total calorie deficit of 3000 kilocalories roughly equals a pound of fat - so you may have to work at it. Also, measure yourself on day one - so you can check inch loss. Sometimes your efforts won't show up on the scale, but they will show up on the measuring tape.
4.) Use the first week to 10 days of weight loss as a motivator, never a measuring stick. Almost any diet where you lower your calories or change the way you eat will result in some weight loss within the first week to 10 days. That's why companies can guarantee you'll "lose weight within your first week or your money back." As long as you follow the program, you will lose some weight right away. This can make for an exciting start, but be discouraging later when the weight loss slows down. Just be ready for the change in week two, and you'll be in a better frame of mind.