A World Of Permanent Weight Loss

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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