Giving Up The Diet

u're thinking of going on a diet to lose those extrahunger.
pounds think again. Long-term weight control· At least 1200 calories a day.
through dieting is near impossible, for the simple· Flexibility for treat foods and social
reason is that diets promote only short termoccasions.
solutions not long term.· A realistic goal of your best weight (not
After dieting you’ll certainly look lighter onnecessarily your lowest weight.)
the scales, but in most cases this is becauseFact
you've dumped a few pounds of body fluid andA realistic weight loss is around one to two
muscle, and not because you've lost anypounds per week. Fast weight losses are not fat
significant amounts of body fat.loss but glycogen and water. If you lose weight
One of the main reasons diets don't work isquickly then you will probable return back to the
because they send the body into starvation modeweight at which you started as quickly as it was
- a survival mechanism for times when humanslost.
faced periods of famine. Cutting back on ourFiction
energy intake causes the body to lower its· Weight loss is quick and simple.
metabolic rate, which reduces its ability to burn· Exercise is not necessary.
fat.· Certain exercises can spot reduce.
At the same time, hunger signals increase and we· Carbohydrates (for example, bread,
quickly start to crave high energy foods loadedpotatoes, rice, and pasta) are fattening.
with fats and sugars - the exact foods we areSo the way to lose body fat and maintain muscle
trying to do without!is to have a food program for life and more
Alarmingly, research has shown that repeatedenergy output. Increase the amount of fruits,
dieting actually makes it harder to lose weight andvegetables, non-fat dairy products, whole grains
easier to put it on.and beans that you eat.
This is because when you dump the diet andEliminate calorie-dense foods such as cookies,
return to normal eating habits, the drop insugary desserts, chips, fries, pizza, candies,
metabolic rate caused by the diet means thatcrackers etc. Research on people who have
your old eating habits actually represent ansuccessfully lost a lot of weight and kept it off
excess in calories. Not only do you regain the fatlong term, shows that the vast majority
stores just lost, but you may even gain a bitsucceeded by consuming a low fat diet high in
extra.fibre coupled with strength training and
"Five more reasons to stop dieting"cardiovascular activity. These are the basics you'll
· Diets sap energy - Too little foodneed to aim for.
means not enough energy for physical activity.A sound weight loss-eating plan should:
· Diets lower your metabolism - Dieting· Be nutritionally sound, providing all the
causes your body to conserve energy, makingnutrients you need.
results harder to achieve.· Never promise fast weight losses.
· Diets are unhealthy - A cycle of rapid· Offer an eating plan based on real food.
weight loss followed by weight gain can lead to a· Allow you to eat out.
loss of lean tissue from your body and calcium· Avoid expensive meal plans, products
from your bones. It also strips the body ofand supplements.
essential vitamins and minerals.· Not avoid carbohydrate foods, e.g.
· Diets make food the enemy - Foodbread, rice, pasta, cereals and potatoes.
provides nourishment and comfort. Diets can· Make gradual dietary changes.
make you afraid to eat, depriving you of one of· Provide knowledge.
life's pleasures.· Allow you to eat all foods
· Diets cheat your confidence - Going· Recommend physical activity.
from one failed diet to the next can leave youFat calories are more fattening than carbohydrate
feeling depressed and create a cycle in which guiltcalories. Your body can easily convert the fat you
battles against food.eat in food into body fat, so to lose weight you
Regular physical activity and a healthy, balancedneed to cut down on fats and foods that contain
diet aren't as glamorous as the quick fixes, butit.
they do get better results.Consider the following steps to reduce fat in your
Start with one extra exercise session and onediet.
less fatty takeaway meal per week, and gradually· Use skimmed or skimmed milk in drinks,
work towards a lifelong plan for achieving yourcooking and on cereals.
best weight.· Buy a non - stick frying pan.
If you change the way you eat or exercise to· Buy a cheese slicer
lose weight, ask yourself this question. Can I see· Cut the visible fat from meat.
myself sticking to this routine for life?· Eat very little pastry.
If the answer is "no" then its time to change· Learn how to read a food label.
what you're doing. Any healthy weight loss plan· Substitute low fat yoghurt for cream.
should include the following:· Remove the skin from chicken and
· A wide variety of foods.turkey.
· Regular and enjoyable exercise.· Eat fruit as snacks rather than eating
· Enough filling foods to avoid constantchocolate and biscuits.