There can be no arguing that obesity has become something of an epidemic. And while those who are overweight want to shed the excess pounds, many are left feeling that they simply don’t have the resources to do so. Part of the problem is that there are seemingly endless TV and radio spots touting the next great weight loss product or local gym that will get you trim and fit in no time at all. They all sound great until you realize the costs associated with actually using them, never mind the fact that none of those weight loss supplements are worth a lick.

It’s easy to lose faith, but the truth is that you can lose weight quickly and effectively, and all without breaking the bank. You can figure out how to lose weight fast at home without paying a personal trainer, shelling out for monthly gym fees, or falling for the hype of the multitude of TV products. It’s important to remember that before you embark on any sort of health and fitness plan you should always talk to your doctor first to make sure that you are healthy enough to do so.

Much of what you need to learn how to lose weight fast at home can be found online, with a calorie calculator among the most important. You can easily find a free one online and it will show you, based on age, height, weight, and other vital statistics what your daily caloric intake should be. You should be looking to take in less in order to lose weight, with 500 calories per day less being a good number. You need to burn 3500 calories in order to lose one pound of weight, so that would equal one pound of weight loss per week. It may not sound like much, but it adds up quickly and is the safest way to lose weight and ensure that you keep it off.

You should also look at starting your day with some exercise which can be as simple as a 30 minute walk around your neighborhood. Follow that with a healthy breakfast and you will be stunned by how much energy you have during the day. Pack a healthy snack and lunch for work as that will take away any need to run to a fast food joint or vending machine during the day. It’s those empty calories that you use for an energy boost in the middle of the afternoon that can really add up and put the weight on.

If you feel like you want to work out, there are a ton of websites and videos online that will show you how to utilize things around the home that can be substituted for expensive gym equipment. A few inexpensive weights are a good option though as they can add a little bit of resistance to your workouts. The important thing is to keep a food journal that keeps track of what you eat and the calories you are taking in. Refer to that regularly to see what is working for you, as that will serve as motivation in healing you learn how to lose weight fast at home.