Keeping A Safe Weight Loss Regimen

For those who are overweight and are keen to lose some of those excess pounds, it's important to set yourself realistic and achievable goals. You will need to discipline yourself and if you set your targets too high, your commitment to your weight loss regimen may falter..
There is also the danger that over-zealous dieting can be dangerous to your health. So how do you set about losing weight effectively and safely? Here are a few things you should consider when setting out your weight loss plan.


1/. Never Embark On Crash Diets

It's common to believe that cutting down on calorie intake will automatically shed off your unwanted weight. This notion has probably been brought about due to the extensive advertising campaigns about low-calorie food products and beverages. This however can be dangerous because when your calorie intake strays below the required levels, the body will lack the energy required to burn the fat. Without the energy to facilitate metabolism of fat, it will run at a very slow pace resulting in fatigue, illness and with a weak immune system.

In the case of a low-calorie diet the body compensates by burning muscle. Reverting back to old eating habits will often result in gaining back all the weight they have shed off, and in some cases more. The regained weight would consist mainly of fats and since fats have more volume per mass than muscle, even with the same weight as before they will typically be more bulkier. The idea behind a solid weight loss regimen is to try to lose excess body fats only.

However, by eating small meals at more frequent intervals, the body will not feel starved and will therefore not store food as fat.


2/. Always Eat Sensibly

OK so small meals at more frequent intervals but you should always watch what you eat. Variety is essential in any diet in order to benefit from the necessary nutrients the body requires. Bare in mind it is healthier to eat foodstuffs which are roasted, steamed or broiled rather than fried. You should also include a lot of fiber in your diet. Frequent rehydration is also an important factor.


3/. Resistance Exercises For Lean Muscle Mass

When muscles are working all-day round they are burning calories, in fact even when resting they will continue to burn, so you can start weight loss plan immediately, simply by increasing muscle mass. The more muscles you have, the less fat will be left. This is easily attainable by starting with resistance exercises in your work out program.


4/. Aerobics In Weight Loss

Aerobics are excellent for the heart because the exercise increases cardio-vascular endurance, and will also help in increasing lean muscle mass while at the same time decreasing excess body fat. The great thing here is that the effects of aerobics will continue for a long while, so you could be burning fat efficiently while driving along the freeway or even while watching television.


5/. For A Little Extra "Push"

While it is widely accepted that smoking and caffeine can actually help in losing weight, they do the body more harm than good because of their side-effects. If you're looking for that little extra "push", you should perhaps consider taking food supplements. Afterall, 95% of these products in the market place will actually do you good.


6/. A Note About Taking Diet Pills

Over-the-counter diet pills are designed to affect the amount of weight loss as well as the length of time one keeps that amount of weight off. However, you must be concious of the possibilities of side-effects of diet pills. Always study carefully and follow the instructions provided in the packaging. It would also be prudent to consult your physician before trying out this type of drug to find out which type would be best suited to your needs.

Embarking on a weight loss program does not have to mean sacrifice and suffering. Think of it as opening up to a more full and healthy lifestyle where you don't have to feel bad about yourself or be limited in what fun you can get involved in. It is important to remember that simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle you will often lose weight as a bonus.


Trevor Taylor

1. Prev:The Importance Of Motivation In Weight Loss
2. Next:Easy Weight Loss Staying Healthy And Fit