Dieting

Diets: Here's What You Need to Know

by Carl Brown

Do you want to know a secret about diets? Here it is. All diets work. And... no diets work over the long term. If you've decided to lose weight, you have decided to make a change in your behavior, either in your diet, or exercise, or both. If you choose a diet, and restrict your caloric intake, and perhaps add a little exercise, you WILL lose weight.

But what happens when you achieve your weight loss goal? Will you let your old dietary habits creep back in? If you do, you will see your weight slowly (or rapidly?) creep back up to your pre-diet weight.

No, the painful truth about weight loss is that 'diets' won't work over the long term. IF you want a new slim and healthy lifestyle, you're going to have to make LIFE-LONG changes in your eating habits and be willing to increase your activity level. Only then will you not only lose the weight, but you'll keep it off for the rest of your life!

So, are you willing to make the commitment?

If so, here are a few points you'll need to remember:

Your Stomach is Roughly the Size of Your Fist -- Didn't know that? We're lucky that our stomachs are able to stretch when necessary! But why should they? Especially when we're trying to lose weight!

When you eat (every 2-3 hours), make sure your portions aren't much bigger than your fist. And make sure at least HALF of it is a high value protein source (tuna, turkey, beans). This will go a long way in keeping you satisfied. You may have the desire to snack on your favorite high calorie foods, but if you stick with the program for just a couple days, those cravings will subside.

Not All Calories are Equal -- I know some will dispute this, but 300 calories from a Little Debbie Snack Cake is NOT the same as 300 calories from a large serving of tuna. The body processes things differently. The high sugar, high fat snack will be converted to fat. The tuna will not. And, the tuna (or any high protein source) will leave you satisfied. When you feel the craving for 'junk food,' grab what you KNOW you should be eating. The craving will disappear, and you will literally 'feel' healthier.

Don't Neglect Exercise -- Want to lose weight SLOWLY? Then don't exercise. If you're content to lose weight through diet alone, don't expect to lose weight fast. If you want to watch the pounds just melt away, you must be willing to increase your metabolism. The only way to do that is by increasing your activity level. ANY activity you incorporate is better than none. Walking is great. So is swimming. I jump rope. It burns up to 1,000 calories per hour! It really doesn't matter what activity you choose, just do something! You'll be amazed how quickly your body responds to your new lifestyle.

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