Everyone seems to think that there are something like 50,000 steps to take to lose weight. Well, actually, not even close. Yes, it may seem like there are many mandatory steps to take to lose weight, but that's only if you're doing things the hard way, using the least efficient and least effective principles to structure your weight loss plan.

Then there are the 2-step plans: get diet pills and

take them, which will help you look like you lost weight but really, you lose your health slowly, not such a great plan, right? Instead of wasting your time, try using these seven steps and you'll definitely be losing weight more efficiently, effectively and with more results!

Step 1: Visualize and plan your results. Very simple, visualize yourself succeeding in weight loss and being healthier and slimmer. Then plan out your "attack"! Pick a number, whatever number of pounds or inches you want to lose.

Get some ideas as to the meals you want to eat based on the best fresh, whole foods you can get. Plan a great workout regimen to follow (more on that later). And most importantly, plan for a date that you want to achieve your goal of losing weight and inches. And also very importantly, stick with it!

Step 2: Fresh foods doesn't mean freshly prepared junk food! When you go to the grocery store, choose fresh foods over processed foods. Your body will thank you for it. Think lovely vegetables of all different colors, meats of all different types and fresh herbs of just absolutely awesome aromas!

Mouth-watering isn't it? See? Losing weight doesn't mean starve yourself or eat like a bird! Eat all the food you want! Just make sure the foods you eat are of the highest possible quality, which means natural, fresh whole foods. None of that processed stuff.

Step 3: Eat more often! It may not be obvious and may actually sound kind of counterintuitive but a great change to your lifestyle is to eat 5-6 meals per day.

These shouldn't be large meals like a Sunday dinner. Instead, these should be medium-sized, if you will, with plenty of snacks in between. This will keep your metabolism in tip-top shape, which is what you need for your body to be a great weight losing machine!

Step 4: Work your body! Most people have somehow gotten the idea that working out requires 2 hours at the gym each day. Far from it! Actually, you can do quite well working out with 20-30 minutes a day, 4 times a week, or even 3 if you'd prefer.

The key is to utilize your time to the fullest! Effective and efficient are the keys here! The best physical training for losing weight is to split each workout between weight or strength training and cardio in intervals.

Step 5: Drink (water) to your heart's content! Yes, water. Don't bother with alcohol, sugary drinks, soft drinks, sports drinks, etc. Those drinks tend to DEhydrate you, instead of REhydrate you, which is what water is the best at. You need to make sure you are well hydrated because your workouts will make you lose water really quickly.

Step 6: If you're lost, stop (or pause) and ask directions! Like a road trip gone wrong, the best thing to do when you're feeling lost or unsure, pause and ask someone who is an expert in the field. By expert, I'm talking about a personal trainer.

Yes, a session may seem expensive but it's worth it to do things correctly and to lose weight in the most effective way. If you're absolutely against that, then visit the library or bookstore and find some books on weight loss but be careful not to get bogged down by silly fad diets or miracle diets. They don't work!

Step 7: Once you've made it, reward yourself! I'm not talking about a night of binging on junk food that you miss. I'm talking about, going out and celebrating your newfound post-weight loss body and health!

Reward yourself with a night on the town, an awesome vacation to a great locale or reward yourself with a new anything, clothes, electronics, whatever! Just make sure you celebrate your weight loss success!

And that's it! 7 simple, easy, effective steps to take to lose weight!