Trying to lose weight in all of the right places to earn that stunningly slim physique is no easy feat. It's no wonder that people constantly turn towards waist trimming belts and stomach training equipment to help them hide the bulge. After all, slimming that stomach is a process that requires a lot of time, hard work, and often quite a few sacrifices. Not only do you have to train regularly, but you also need to maintain a balanced diet that ultimately allows you to consume fewer calories than you use.

While there'll never be a quick fix to the process of losing weight and keeping that weight off for as long as possible, there are things that you can do to ensure that your efforts are as effective as possible, whether you're working out at the gym, or at home.

Rule 1: Don't Push Yourself Too Far

When you've had enough of that unwanted bulge, it can seem like a good idea to push yourself as hard and as fast as possible so that you can speed up the process of trying to lose weight. Unfortunately, the chances are that your behavior is more likely to lead to injury than the body shape you've always wanted. Instead, try to stick to an average system of around four workouts per week. Each workout should be around half an hour to an hour long, but remember that your aim isn't to burn yourself out - it's to focus on bettering your body.

Rule 2: Be Consistent

Losing weight is more than just a physical transformation. The process is often emotionally stressful, and if you think that you're not making progress as quickly as you'd like, you could find that you're tempted to simply give up and grab a fresh batch of cookies. However, it's important to remember that everyone's body is different, and some people take much longer to lose weight than others. Make sure that you set realistic goals regarding your weight loss, and be consistent in your training - whether that means working out with a friend to keep you motivated, or pushing yourself with iron-clad dedication.

Rule 3: Challenge Yourself

Just because the first golden rule of trying to lose weight is all about making sure you don't try to push yourself beyond your limits, that doesn't mean that you should never challenge yourself. In fact, when it comes to making weight loss work for you, the chances are that after time, you'll begin to notice that certain workouts become easier, and less physically demanding. When this happens, it means that your muscles have grown used to the level of strain you typically put on them. If you want to continue making progress, then you'll need to think about finding ways to challenge yourself even further. Remember, losing weight shouldn't be easy - as much as many of us would like it to be. If you want great results, you need to be willing to push yourself further than ever before.