How to Lose 100 lbs in a Year-- 5 Vital Steps to Weight Loss Success

Losing 100 pounds is a serious undertaking that will require discipline and daily commitment, but it's the greatest thing you can do to improve your health and prevent the onset of life-threatening diseases. Aside from the obvious health benefits of weight loss, you will feel better about yourself, you'll be able to be more active and participate more in life. The self-discipline you acquire will have effects in other areas of your life as well.

Here are five steps for you to follow when you want to lose 100 pounds in a year:

1. Set a goal

“Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 Pray for guidance and strength as you take on this amazing challenge. Write down the number of pounds you want to reach at the end of the year. Write it down and commit it to memory. For example, “By the last day of this year I will be a healthy, fit (insert goal number here) pounds.” Saying it out loud every day will help you focus on your goal.

A safe weight loss goal is one to two pounds a week according to American Dietetic Association, but after the initial few months your weight loss will most likely plateau so you will have to change your game plan.

2. Follow a weight loss program that will work for you

There are countless weight loss programs out there for you to choose from. Pick one that you will be able to follow for the rest of your life.

Losing weight involves changing your diet and raising your fitness level. You have to change your relationship with food and exercise. Instead of looking at food as comfort, recreation, or distraction, you must begin to look at food as fuel and as medicine that will heal your body and restore it's healthy functioning.

You will have to exercise daily, so find a few forms of exercise that you enjoy. If all else fails, walking works. Find a convenient walking path as close to your home as possible. Try to work in some hills and keep increasing the distance as your fitness level increases.

Keeping a weight loss journal may sound like a step that you can skip, but it's a vital secret that not many people are aware of.

3. Get support to help you achieve your goal

Weight loss is hard work. Changing engrained life-long habits is really challenging. Find a partner or a coach who will support you as you work towards your goal of losing weight and getting healthy. As Christians, we have the constant support of Holy Spirit, who is always there to guide you and lead you in the right path, but surrounding yourself with supportive friends, or working with a weight loss coach can help you achieve your goal weight.

4. Create a contingency pla

You will have setbacks. Know this ahead of time and plan for them so that you don't give up. Your coach can help you with this.

5. Visualize your success

Create a vision board with images of how you want to look and the kind of lifestyle you intend yo have when you have reached your weight loss goals.

Exercise daily. Stick to your plan. Surround yourself with support, don't let setbacks throw you off course, and keep your eyes on your goal and you will succeed.