Some gurus will tell you to get on some zany diet. No doubt, they’re usually promoting weight loss book they wrote. But should you really believe them? Do you really need the latest diet book to find out the best way to lose 20 pounds quick? I doubt it.

In fact, I’m pretty sure you already know how to lose weight. I’m betting you’ve lost some weight in the best. You may have gained it back, buy that’s not the point. You did lose weight before.

In case you forgot, I’m going to give you a hard and fast weight loss formula for shedding quick pounds. Use the formula and you will find yourself on the other end of a smaller reflection very quickly.

7 steps for weight loss success

Step 1: Make a commitment to weight loss at the very beginning. Don’t go half-hearted, here. If you do, you will come up short. Treat this like a job. Make it a priority.

Step 2: Prove your commitment by creating a weight loss journal. Write down your diet and exercise goals and review them daily. Make a list in your journal of all the things you will hold yourself to. Everyday turn a page and re-write the same thing. Cross things off as you accomplish them.

Step 3: Begin walking 20-30 minutes in the morning, afternoon, or evening. The best time is the time you can fit it in. Be consistent. Same time every day, if possible.

Step 4:Add water. Increase your daily water consumption to 10-12 cups. More water means less bloating and better internal organ function. A side note: decrease the sugary sodas. Increasing your water can help you lose 5 pounds the very first week.

Step 5: Eat four meals a day. The first meal coming within 40 minutes of waking. The last meal coming 2 hours or more before bedtime. You never want to eat right before bed. Do this and you will feel your waistline loosen very quickly.

Step 6: Understand the difference between weight loss success and weight loss failure is smaller than you realize. You only need to make small adjustments to reap huge results. Don’t go out and try to change the world. If you do, you may just wind up burnt out and with even more anxiety.

Step 7: Take a long-term perspective. The best way to lose 20 pounds is to begin where you are with these 7 steps, but to realize this isn’t just a commitment for now. If you want to keep the weight off, then repeat these steps time and time again.

Weight loss is a simple task. The principles are very basic. The results, however, will always be based on the individual. Begin strong and begin prepared, and you’ve already won half the weight loss battle.