Being overweight is not just an issue of appearances. Excess weight can seriously damage your health, and reduce your quality of life. Shedding that fat brings so many benefits including more energy, optimism, a boost to your self confidence and admiring glances from passers-by. Now that summer is on its way – we are all suddenly realizing that maybe we could all do with shedding a few pounds.
But, before you embark on any weight loss plan, it’s advisable to seek medical advice. The more overweight you are – the more important this aspect is. Doctors may not be the best people to advise on ‘how’ to lose weight – but they can certainly spot any techniques that are detrimental to your health. Remember there is no point getting slim if the process damages your health, or worse your internal organs. Any real weight loss program will address the following; what to eat, what NOT to eat, how often to eat, and your activity level.
Take a look at the following quick pointers.
First of all take a good look at what has got you fat – and that includes your lifestyle, your food choices, your habits and opinions about food, and also how you cope with stress. If you can face all issues at once then results can come fast.
Secondly make sure that your goals are both realistic and safe – don’t aim for more than 2 pounds of fat loss per week. Also check out what’s in the diet. If you can’t stomach the menu – then you won’t stick to the diet. Better to pick a slower diet that you can stick with.
Thirdly remember to take things steadily and progress towards more activity as your level of fitness improves. If you feel at all ‘unusual’ then go and see your doctor to make sure that you are ok. Start with easy exercises that won’t strain you too much, and go easy on the weights in the gym. If you strain yourself with ego power-lifts then you’ll be off training for weeks and end up worse off.
Fourthly replace your sugary carbs with fresh vegetables and small amounts of fruit. Avoid fried food and junk fast food. You really need to keep your diet clean during the diet phase. Once you are correct weight then an occasional junk meal won’t hurt – but that’s if you really can’t go without.
Fifth: Fried food is a real no-no so don’t even go there. Grill your meat and steam / grill your fish. Try to eat raw or lightly steamed veggies and forget all those boxed meals – they are definitely out!
Sixth: Take lots of fluid. During weight loss extra strain is put on your liver and kidneys, and they will need all the help they can get. Heavily cut down on your alcohol consumption too. Drinking at least six to eight glasses of water a day will keep the body hydrated. Since weight loss depends on how the body eliminates body wastes, the body must stay hydrated in order to shed the fat.
If you take on a weight loss program with realistic goals, and with determination to follow the above, then you will truly be surprised. The above techniques combined can increase your diet effectiveness many times over. Most people who fail do so because they think that each aspect is optional. They take a pick’n'mix approach selecting what suits and thinking that half the rules will get half the results. Unfortunately each technique doubles the effectiveness of the others – so do the math! You will see that dropping only one of the above will halve your dieting success.
Keep heart throughout the diet. Remember that it’s a short term thing and that you will soon be able to eat normally. Note that eating normally does not mean eating as you did before. Your new lifestyle won’t be so strict as the diet – but your old habits would only result in taking you back to where you started.
Want to find out more about achievable fast fatloss, then read Phil Sanders’s articles on how to choose the best safe and quick diet for your needs.
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