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:
*They had unrealistic weight goals
*They had low self esteem
*They exhibited poor coping and problem solving skills
*They projected a negative attitude towards their ability to acheive any permanent fat loss.
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:
1) Is the diet I'm thinking about trying something I could follow for the rest of my life?
2) Does my proposed nutritional program teach me how to eat right over a life time?
3) Can I include exercise as a lifestyle change to better my health and fat loss?
4)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.
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