Maintaining a diet can be tiring. And cravings for comfort food don’t make it any easier either.

And by the time February rolls around, you’re over it and back to your old habits.

But is it really possible to eat whatever, not watch calories, and melt away stubborn fat at home without much strenuous exercise at the gym?

What to do in these cases of “stubborn” fat?

And does it matter if we start on a Monday or not?

Today, we sit down with health & wellness expert Joan Blackwell, PhD., who will answer these questions…

“The solution to losing weight once and for all is quite simple,” Blackwell begins. “But before I delve into detail, let’s first discuss the 4 reasons why most people fail…”

Mistake #1: Lack of Knowledge

“I might lose some of you here, but I have to be brutally honest.

People often fail because they lack understanding about proper nutrition.

It’s not their fault – the media has reinforced this idea that a salad is always healthy, and a burger is always not. I strongly disagree,” says Dr. Blackwell.

“I would go crazy if I tried limiting myself like that. 

But it’s not just the over-restriction!

Think of the human body as a machine. 

One cog out of place and you already have a problem…

It’s better not to risk nutritional deficiencies (that take months and thousands to correct) and start your diet on the right foot.”

“Rushing in without a plan is short-sighted as it will most likely fail,” Blackwell adds.

According to her, if you don’t have any plan, here’s what might happen: 

• You will keep craving sweets because you won’t know enough about healthy dessert substitutes.
• You will keep snacking on unhealthy food because you won’t have a well-thought-out meal plan that keeps you pleasantly full.
• The weight won’t go down. It might even go up!

Instead, Joan Blackwell recommends a professional, custom plan based on your body type, age, health conditions, and eating preferences.

“Look for support and ideas on how to manage your diet correctly,” she says. 

“Your health is the number one priority – take care of it!”

Mistake #2: Unrealistic Expectations

“Have you ever seen those ads that promise 30lbs weight loss within a week?

You decide to try it and – surprise – there’s just no way to lose that amount of weight in 7 days…

You’re left disappointed and eventually quit,” explains Dr. Blackwell.

“That’s because no generic diet can give you an accurate prediction of what you can achieve with it.

Your body is unique with its genetic makeup, health predispositions, and even age,” she continues.

Thankfully, there is a solution.

“Before starting ANY diet, try to gain an understanding of how much weight you can lose in a week or month. 

You will know exactly what to expect, and won’t get disappointed by marketing gimmicks.

There are plenty of calculators for that online, but I can forward you the link of the one I trust and have found to be the most accurate,” Dr. Blackwell smiles.

Click to access the weight loss forecasting tool endorsed by Dr. Blackwell >>

Mistake #3: Focusing Too Much On Exercise

“I’ve met so many people willing to pay exorbitant gym membership fees in the hopes that a workout will help them lose weight,” says Dr. Blackwell.

“It’s commendable, really. 

They get up before sunrise or stay hours after work to get to the gym, hoping that cardio will melt the pounds.

And that’s true, in theory.

But what they don’t realize is… 

If you are overweight, a strenuous workout is the opposite of what you need! 

And not for the reasons that you might think,” emphasizes Dr. Blackwell.

“Intense movement places an enormous burden on your joints, ligaments, and heart, especially if you’re overweight or obese.

This makes getting through a workout in one piece very difficult.

That usually discourages people from working out very quickly…

And the gyms are empty again come February.

There are low-impact alternatives such as walking, swimming, or yoga, but let’s be realistic.

If you’re carrying a lot of excess weight, the first thing you have to get right is your nutrition,” highlights Dr. Blackwell.

But there is a specific reason why people find it so hard to lose weight with nutrition…

Mistake #4: “The Google Curse”

“With a bit of light research on Google, you’ll find thousands of low-calorie recipes.

Many people read a few articles, note a few, then try to get started on their own.

But this is ineffective,” stresses Dr. Blackwell.

“Just knowing you need to ‘eat less’ is not enough. Often, the meals you find online are good by themselves yet may cause nutritional imbalances when combined.

Don’t start your weight loss journey without help, especially if you don’t know the answers to questions like these:

• “How many calories should I eat to lose weight?”
• “Which healthy foods are sugar bombs?”
• “Which foods are weight loss-friendly yet delicious?”
• “How do I make sure to get enough vitamins in my diet?”
• “How will I get enough minerals to sleep well and have more energy?”

How can we answer these questions and finally achieve our goals in 2024?

“To lose weight once and for all, it’s essential to follow a meal plan that combines nutrients efficiently.”

“There is one I always recommend, and it’s called Perfect Body.

It starts with a quiz to gather information about your preferences and key health indicators. 

Then it uses a proprietary food database to design a meal plan specifically for weight loss…

It’s meant for you and your body only.

The surgical precision in calculations is what ensures that your body follows the weight loss forecast…

I suggest this plan to anyone who is serious about achieving their goals, and the results have been very encouraging,” Dr. Blackwell smiles.

“When it comes to weight loss… 

I firmly advocate for the approach that actually produces results. 

No specific knowledge, exercise, or risk to your health required.

It’s not every day that I can change someone’s life, but today is hopefully that day,” she concl