A World of Permanent Weight Loss
(Re-printed with permission from
www.articlealley.com)
For most people, finding a diet that works seems like studying
astrophysics. It's not that difficult, but there are too many choices out there. Low
protein or high protein? Low carb or high carb? High fat or no fat? The list is endless
and combinations and variations are rapidly appearing. People often become so frustrated
with all the conflicting information they throw their hands up in the air and give up.
First, the above situation does not have
to exist. Second the information you need to know to acheive permanent weight loss is not
complicated or confusing. If you make the lifestyle changes needed for permanent weight
loss and embrace the rest of this article your chances of success are outstanding.
DOES YOUR DIET PASS THE TEST?
The number one reason diets fail is a
simple lack of compliance. I'm sure you are aware that most people who go on a diet quit
early and regain the weight.
To avoid loss of compliance you have to
learn what a good diet is. For example, a diet promoting long term weight loss should not
sell you diet bars, meals or shakes on a silver platter with no instructions. A good
nutritional plan teaches you how to eat correctly. This involves lifestyle changes, not
just a temporary changes in your diet plan.
If you choose a bunch of low calorie
foods that taste horrible it's not likely you will stick to that diet very long. A
permanent fat loss plan will have many healthy foods you enjoy. These likable foods will
become a part of your permanent weight loss program.
When evaluating a diet for yourself, a
good question to ask is "could I eat this way for a long time?". The statistics
don't lie. Getting the weight off initially is not the hardest part. Keeping it off
permanently is! That is a lifestyle change.
THE MISSING ELEMENT FOR MANY IS
EXERCISE.
When it comes to weight loss, any
exercise is better than no exercise. If you keep on your feet during the day moving around
doing various tasks you will burn up significant calories. The people who really increase
fat are the couch potatoes who sit around all day.
More intense exercise has a positive
effect on your metabolic rate. This is a requirement if you want to live in a world of
permanent weight loss. Lowering calories lowers your metabolic rate. Regular exercise will
prevent this. Further, if you choose some sort of resistance training which builds up lean
muscle mass, your metabolic rate will be significantly higher 24 hours a day. Exercise is
a lifestyle change.
PSYCHOLOGY OF WEIGHT LOSS.
Most nutritional programs do not address
the psychological factors that accompany being overweight and dieting. Studies have shown
that female dieters who dropped out early from their nutrition programs had the following
characteristics:
- Evaluated self-worth in terms of weight, size and
shape
- Not as vigilant when it came to weight control
- Used eating to regulate their moods
- Tended to think in a black and white fashion
Additional studies on overweight men and women found:
- A person's psychological makeup is a major factor
contributing to success or failure at dieting. Some very good nutritional programs do
tackle the psychological aspects of fat loss. Most do not. Many, however, do provide
training in motivation and goal setting.
If you want to step into a world of permananet weight
loss sometimes you have to step back from all the science, recommended diets and
nutritional programs. Then ask yourself a few key questions:
- Is the diet I'm thinking about trying something I
could follow for the rest of my life?
- Does my proposed nutritional program teach me how to
eat right over a life time?
- Can I include exercise as a lifestyle change to better
my health and fat loss?
- Am I aware of some of the important motivating factors
I have towards fitness and nutrition. Does my fitness or nutrition program give me
instruction on psychological motivations and goal setting practices
If you can answer yes to the above four questions you
have entered the world of permanent weight loss. If you answered no to even one of the
questions you are setting yourself up for a quick fat loss episode followed by
noncompliance and regain. Do a little more soul searching until you come up with the
dietary program that will bring you a lifetime of healthy nutrition, weight loss, weight
maintenance and overall fitness.
Dr. Lanny Schaffer is an Exercise Physiologist and
the President of The International Fitness Academy. For more savvy weight loss advice go
to http://www.aerobic-exercise-coach.com
