Obesity is at an all time high. Many researchers and dietitians are relating the changes in overall weight to the Standard Western diet of high fats, lots of sugar and little energy expenditure. We do everything fast: fast food, fast weight loss, fast Internet, fast track.
Everyone needs food. The only difference between the pencil thin model and 2/3 of Americans who are overweight is how much food and how long between meals. (1)
In an ideal world fast weight loss would happen. We could all take a magic pill and be fit and trim. But in the real world you may be able to lose the initial weight quickly, but keeping it off requires commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
There are two reasons why most weight loss plans begin with a fast weight loss. First, the body can usually accommodate a short-term, fast weight loss period without throwing it into starvation mode where you will hoard more calories, lose weight more slowly and gain more weight back when you go back to eating your normal diet. Second, taking off those first three to five pounds are motivating!
Let’s face it, we all want the weight to come off quickly and painlessly. If those first pounds come off easily we are more apt to stick with the diet plan and move forward. The trick is to get past the fast weight loss and move into a consistent weight loss pattern each and every week.
There are some tips to accomplishing a fast weight loss pattern that is healthy for both you and your emotional high. First, take a good long look at what you eat, when you eat it and how much you eat. This is very important. You have no idea what to change unless you know what you’ve been doing. Amazingly our minds will trick us into thinking we are doing better, or worse, than we actually do. This trick depends upon your own personality and mindset.
Keep a diary of what you eat every day for at least three days. Keep track of every morsel that goes into your body. Write down how much water, soda, and alcohol you drink. It all counts. Be blunt and honest with yourself. It is only you that you cheat when you aren’t honest.
Take another look at your exercise patterns. Do you exercise? How much and for how long? If you don’t exercise incorporate something every day. Even if you walk for 30 minutes each day, this will help you to lose fat more quickly on your quest.
Drink lots of water. Hydration with water flushes out toxins and wastes from your body. You will feel better and your skin will even look better as you achieve a hydration level that is important to good health. Water is the most important fluid. Get rid of the sodas and alcohol that add calories, no nutrition and can actually precipitate dehydrate.
One of the hardest things to do is to stay motivated. An initial fast weight loss will initially take care of the motivation but once the rate of loss levels out or even plateaus you may find your motivation waning.
Weight loss depends on a basic plan of action that includes solid nutrition, adequate water, exercise and knowledge of your goals. Set your goals, write them down and put them where you can see them. Make your goals things that are attainable and point you toward good health. For instance, instead of a goal of a certain amount of weight loss each week you could set a goal to drink 10 8-oz glasses of water, work out for 30 minutes, eat at least three pieces of fruit. With those goals the weight loss will take care of itself.
A one-size fits all approach to weight loss does not work as evidenced by the number of diet plans, spas, diet pills, prescriptions, meal replacements and over the counter supplements available. While fast weight loss is possible initially, in the long run you should be pointed toward a goal of a healthier lifestyle that includes a thinner you.
(1) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Adult Obesity Facts