Beware of Diets
It seems like every magazine I see, especially those aimed at women, has a new diet or exercise tip that will drop twenty pounds in two weeks.
I used to believe they would work, but I've come to look at them in a different light...
and finally started dropping the weight for real.
Here is what I found: 1) "A" Diet Won't Work: I'm sorry, but it's true.
You can try every diet under the sun, and at best you'll yoyo up and down inside a couple of pants sizes.
The problem is that a diet indicates a beginning and ending.
You go on the diet to lose weight, then go back to what you used to eat and gain it all back.
Usually, the pounds will bring a few friends and you'll be worse off.
2) Fad Diets and Your Nutritional Needs: Most fad diets don't incorporate all of your daily recommended vitamin and mineral needs.
Yes, you can supplement with a vitamin tablet, but most doctors agree that it is much better to get your requirements from your food, not a pill.
3) Starvation is Counterproductive: Simply avoiding food is one of the more popular ways of weight loss, but it doesn't really work long term.
Aside from the possibility of developing an eating disorder, a starvation diet causes major changes in your body.
Any weight you lose will be muscle, not fat.
In fact, anything you eat will be stored as fat, so you will end up worse off in the long run.
Setting Up For a Lifestyle Change If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you will have to change your lifestyle.
Going back to the old habits will not work.
Here are four keys that can help you do just that: 1) Consult Experts: Your doctor, a nutritionist, a professional trainer and a qualified herbal practitioner can all give you advice as to how and where to start.
You will find out which exercises are safe, how to look at food, how do perform the exercises you need and which supplements are right for you.
2) Exercise: Diet alone is not enough.
Whether you're at your goal weight or not there yet, exercise is still important.
To start out, you may need to do twenty or thirty minute sessions three times a week, but you may need more than that.
Allow the trainer to guide you in which to do and for how long.
3) Planned Dietary Changes: You don't have to stick to rabbit food, but you will need to make changes, and planning is your best bet.
Find out what you can substitute in your favorite recipes to make them a healthy choice.
You may even find new favorite foods this way.
4) Supplements: You may benefit from some supplements, based on your weight and overall physical condition.
Green tea is considered safe for most people and can boost your metabolism and help suppress your appetite.
There are several other supplements, such as raspberry leaf for women and saw palmetto for men that could help maintain good health.
I wish to reiterate the importance of seeing your doctor before you begin any of these suggestions.
You may have underlying medical conditions that need to be taken into account.
Also, herbs and drugs can have interactions that your doctor can help you avoid.
I used to believe they would work, but I've come to look at them in a different light...
and finally started dropping the weight for real.
Here is what I found: 1) "A" Diet Won't Work: I'm sorry, but it's true.
You can try every diet under the sun, and at best you'll yoyo up and down inside a couple of pants sizes.
The problem is that a diet indicates a beginning and ending.
You go on the diet to lose weight, then go back to what you used to eat and gain it all back.
Usually, the pounds will bring a few friends and you'll be worse off.
2) Fad Diets and Your Nutritional Needs: Most fad diets don't incorporate all of your daily recommended vitamin and mineral needs.
Yes, you can supplement with a vitamin tablet, but most doctors agree that it is much better to get your requirements from your food, not a pill.
3) Starvation is Counterproductive: Simply avoiding food is one of the more popular ways of weight loss, but it doesn't really work long term.
Aside from the possibility of developing an eating disorder, a starvation diet causes major changes in your body.
Any weight you lose will be muscle, not fat.
In fact, anything you eat will be stored as fat, so you will end up worse off in the long run.
Setting Up For a Lifestyle Change If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you will have to change your lifestyle.
Going back to the old habits will not work.
Here are four keys that can help you do just that: 1) Consult Experts: Your doctor, a nutritionist, a professional trainer and a qualified herbal practitioner can all give you advice as to how and where to start.
You will find out which exercises are safe, how to look at food, how do perform the exercises you need and which supplements are right for you.
2) Exercise: Diet alone is not enough.
Whether you're at your goal weight or not there yet, exercise is still important.
To start out, you may need to do twenty or thirty minute sessions three times a week, but you may need more than that.
Allow the trainer to guide you in which to do and for how long.
3) Planned Dietary Changes: You don't have to stick to rabbit food, but you will need to make changes, and planning is your best bet.
Find out what you can substitute in your favorite recipes to make them a healthy choice.
You may even find new favorite foods this way.
4) Supplements: You may benefit from some supplements, based on your weight and overall physical condition.
Green tea is considered safe for most people and can boost your metabolism and help suppress your appetite.
There are several other supplements, such as raspberry leaf for women and saw palmetto for men that could help maintain good health.
I wish to reiterate the importance of seeing your doctor before you begin any of these suggestions.
You may have underlying medical conditions that need to be taken into account.
Also, herbs and drugs can have interactions that your doctor can help you avoid.
