As we begin the New Year and approach Valentines Day, getting into shape and losing some lbs from holiday celebrating, may rank high on many people's to-do lists.

However, this goal is broad and we may need specifics on what to do to achieve weight loss goals.

RSVP Social had the opportunity to meet with world renowned Weight Loss expert Shaun Kelley and discuss tips that can help point us in the right direction to get on a path to healthy living and eating for the New Year!

1) RSVP: How important is WATER? Shaun: Our muscles are about 85% water. If you are dehydrated, the muscles cripple, so water is vital to keeping healthy muscle mass.
RSVP: How much water do we need?.
Shaun: A gallon, if not more, a day.
RSVP: Can you drink too much?
Shaun: Yes, you can…but usually that’s not the case. Usually people are under hydrated. I would say that 99% of the people who come in my store are dehydrated. Signs of dehydration range from dryness of the mouth to not enough energy. People can be sluggish or have dry, scaly or broken out skin.

2) RSVP: What about food? How do we aproach food?
Shaun: You need to start thinking about food as nothing more than FUEL. Your stomach is the size of your fist. That means your WHOLE meal should ONLY be as big as your fist. 40% of your meal should be a protien--a lean protien. The other 60% is a combination of simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates are mostly fruits and vegetables; complex carbohydrates are mostly grains and potatoes, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta.

3) RSVP: What about exercise? Weight training? Cardio?
Shaun: If you are eating in the right balance, just a simple walk is enough to maintain muscle mass. 20 minutes a day, briskly, 5 days a week. And as long as you meet that balance of eating the food and walking everyday…you will lose the weight.

4) RSVP: What about vitamins and mineral supplements? Calcium? Vitamin D? Multi-vitamins…all the stuff at GNC…will any of that help me lose weight?
Shaun: Women get deficient in Vitamin D after they reach menopause (but even that, you can get from just walking in sunshine). The only thing that I have found that I think is valuable is the Hair Analysis Testing for Vitamin Deficiencies. I don’t think it’s wise to go to the vitamin store and just play the guessing game. There is a Hi-tech Hair Analysis (http://www.hairanalysistest.com/), that you can send a piece of your hair, and they can analyze your deficiencies, and send you supplements for what you need.

5) RSVP: What about Fad Diets that I hear about? Eat Right for your Blood Type? Sugar Busters? Adkins? Shaun: Think of your body as a CAR…think of your food as GAS. And your FAT as alternative fuel. As soon as you run out of gas, your body will switch to fat for fuel. Fads are just fads…weight loss is simple…eat small portions of balanced meals high in lean protein and maintain muscle mass by walking.

Shaun Kelley has 30 years of experience as a world-class professional athlete which has enabled him to develop techniques necessary to transform simple dieting into a comprehensive system of holistic lifestyle management. He was awarded World MotoCross Champion (1977-81), Texas State Powerlifting Champion (1985-86) and South Texas Bodybuilding Champion (1987). He also is responsible for training hometown stars from Miss Texas to Mary Lou Retton.

Visit Shaun online to find out more at www.shaunkelley.com.