When we need to lose weight, it's really common to get swept up into the mindset that we need to make radical changes. While this may be true, it may not be healthy to make such a drastic change in the way you eat. In fact, you may be increasing your odds of failure by picking a diet that is simply too hard to maintain. While we all want to lose weight as fast as we can, it's best to stick with 2 pounds a week, and never more than 4. (Doctor supervision not withstanding.)
This is frustrating - and it will take a little longer to see results. However, by making easy diet changes and gradually pumping up the pressure, you're going to be more apt to lose that weight and keep it off. There is no point in starting a diet, if you're simply going to undo all of your hard work in a few months. You need to commit to making a lifestyle change that will last you for many years to come.
That is really the key towards getting healthy and hitting your target weight. By understanding what parts of your lifestyle are making you unhealthy, you can begin to diet the natural way. Let's start out with something that is really easy to cut out of your diet - soda. This is the worst, empty calorie, horrible food that is responsible for many of us being overweight and we really don't even know it. A simple serving of soda can have as much as 150 calories. A bottle or can will have a lot more.
Completely cut this one thing from your diet for two weeks but don't change anything else. Try not to substitute with sugary drinks. If you need caffeine, go with black coffee or sweeten it with Splenda. In two weeks, you should lose significant weight, depending on how much soda you normally drink. See how easy that was? One little easy change and you're already losing a lot of weight.
Now, you'll need to step it up. Find another food that is bad for you, the food that you simply love. Cut this out from your diet completely and you'll notice the same thing happening. Once again, you may need to find a healthier alternative to keep from feeling deprived, but the general premise is the same.
By making these really easy and simple changes, you can get on the road to healthy weight loss and still see real results. You're getting rid of the foods that are making you unhealthy and you're making those lifestyle changes that will stay with you for the rest of your life. Try it for two weeks and see the difference you feel. You may feel a bit cranky for the first few days, but ride it out and stick with it. You will get results.
By gradually getting rid of the items in your diet that are not good, you're making a it a lot easier on yourself and you're losing weight at the same time.
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Originally posted 2008-08-07 05:43:31. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
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7 comments ↓
Ah, yes – the gradual change is one of the things I try to point out to people who try to lose weight. For example, I frequently go to Yahoo Ask, and 80% of the people who want to lose weight want to lose 20 pounds in a month, 5 pounds in a week, or a number near that range. I don’t see the point of trying so hard to lose weight for a little while, then giving up on it a few months later to gain the weight back again. It is much, much better (and easier) to start by cutting out one thing at a time.
I agree – soda is one of the easiest things to cut out. (replace it with water, or carbonated water, at least!) But some people just do not gain fat from drinking soda, so they do not stop. My friend from high school drank soda twice a day, and he still looked fit. (When I saw him I expected him to be following a religious diet plan) Some people just have high metabolisms, I guess.
Yup, it’s all about the simple lifestyle changes that will go a long way. We didn’t get unhealthy overnight so why would we expect some quick fix. It takes time and consistency. Great post.
amenamenamen
it’s all about adding one tiny healthy habit and just KEEPING ON layering tiny changes upon tiny changes.
you are proof that it works huh?
Miz.
Dieting and losing wieght is tough. Everyone is different, so quite often trail and error process as you go through each diet regimine makes it even harder. Those little calories here and there certainly add up throughout the day.
Practice seeing your diet as changing to a healthy lifestyle and the process seems to feel a little easier.
Check out http://www.HappyManOnline.com for more healthy life stuff. Sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter, you’ll enjoy!
I think it’s pretty simple: eat healthier, that means stay away from fats, sugar, and white flour, and hit the gym! This doesn’t mean becoming a health nut, but just work out 3 or 4 times a week!
You are right it is all about lifestyle change. I know I have recently lost 75 pounds in six months. It was hard work, but it never felt like a typical “diet.” Since then my weight loss has slowed it has become really frustrating as now I am only losing about 1.5 pounds a week. I know this is a healthy amount, but still it’s frustrating. I have another 70 to go, that will probably take me close to a year.
The only way to lose weight safely and to keep it off is to change your eating habits, and then ensure that those new, healthier eating habits become a way of life.
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