How to lose weight is one of the most talked about and searched for topics in the world today. This is a growing trend as the percentage of obese people has grown in recent years. This has opened the door to all sorts of trendy diet systems. But what you really need to discover is the best non-fad way to lose weight.
Unfortunately many people become obsessed with their weight and are willing to try a succession of weird and wacky diets that hit the headlines. Perhaps you are searching for the Holy Grail of diets to shed the pounds and lose your unsightly bulges easily, but does that actually exist?
Are your weight loss issues mainly in your mind and the way you think? That’s something we will look at later, so read on.
Diets – fad or fiction?
Many diets are based on restricting carbohydrates. These include the Atkins Diet, the South Beach Diet, and the GI Diet. These diets remove foods like pasta and rice from your diet and suggest replacing them with high-fat, high-protein foods like meat and dairy products.
This approach will result in weight loss but you need to consider the long-term health effects. Most nutritionists warn that these diets could be harmful over the long term.
The most popular low carbohydrate diet today is the Keto diet. This advocates low carbohydrates, moderate protein and high fats.
The idea behind restricting carbohydrates is that it forces your body to use fat and protein for energy because your glycogen reserves become depleted. Using fat reserves will obviously help you lose weight but you need to be careful about losing too much protein.
Diet shakes and meal replacements
There is a growing market for meal replacement drinks and slimming milkshakes. These can work but only if you stick to them strictly. You may not think that a drink is enough for you even though technically you are getting sufficient nutrition. This is just one of the ways that your thoughts affect whether you will lose weight successfully.
Best Non-Fad Way To Lose Weight
So perhaps you worry about these extreme weight loss diets and just want the best non-fad way to lose weight. It could be that you are catering for a family who don’t want to diet and you need a diet that is suitable for you all.
The simple fact is that you will lose weight if you take in less calories than you use in your daily life. So two options for losing weight:
- Consume less calories
- Use more calories
Simple! But maybe not easy.
The reason that people search for magic ways to lose weight is because this method that works is not what they want to hear. You simply need to eat less food and exercise more.
If you are sick of hearing this and have tried before and failed to lose weight, then read on until the end as I have a suggestion for something that will definitely help.
Consume less calories
Unfortunately when many people try to lose weight they find they seem to be addicted to food. Sugar addiction in particular is a great problem. It’s not just the sugar you add to your beverages, sprinkle on your cereal and the candies and cookies that are the problem.
These days many manufacturers add sugar to all sorts of products so you need to beware of these hidden sugars. They are manipulating us into eating more without knowing. As with any addiction it can be difficult to stop. It’s like trying to give up smoking, only there’s no such thing as a food patch.
You want to get into the habit of reading food labels and you will be amazed at the foods that have hidden sugar in them. Do baked beans really need all that sugar? You will find low sugar versions of many foods these days.
Use more calories
One of the best non-fad ways to lose weight is to exercise more. This means you will use up more calories and you will lose weight. If you are turning up your nose at the thought of going to a gym and doing squats and star jumps then don’t worry. One of the best ways to exercise more is to build it into your normal life.
Use the stairs rather than taking the elevator. Walk or cycle rather than using the motor. Take up dancing; salsa, zumba, jive are all great ways to get more exercise.
Take up a sport as a hobby. Whether it’s running, tennis or squash doesn’t matter, as long as it gets you physically active regularly.The advantage of a sport is that it is also a social event. You can involve your family and make new friends at the same time.
If you are not a naturally sporty person then think of the advantages. Active people can eat huge amounts and still not get fat. Even a surprisingly small amount of extra exercise can turn your weight loss journey into a success. Instead of putting on weight each day you can begin losing weight each day.
Consistency – the best non-fad way to lose weight
Remember, small changes add up over time. consistency is important. Don’t fall into the trap of bingeing, feeling guilty and going on a crash diet.
You want to think of it as a weight loss journey and a change to a healthy lifestyle rather than a diet. When you implement lifestyle changes it will become a way of life and not feel like it is a hardship.
Concentrate on the health benefits that you are gaining. Obesity brings many health risks from cardiac problems to diabetes and even cancer.
Having support from others will help, especially if they are on the same journey. You may want to join a weight loss support group like WeightWatchers. Having encouragement and making yourself accountable can definitely help.
Can you think yourself thin – the science behind losing weight
As we discussed earlier you may be addicted to sugar. Perhaps your weight loss problems are actually in your mind and your way of thinking. Some people try hypnosis to help them lose weight.
I was interested in this report on how your mind is the most important factor in losing weight. It highlights the importance of your subconscious mind in losing weight. You could be sabotaging your weight loss efforts when, what you really need, is to re-program your mind and get your brainwaves in sync. You can do that in the comfort of your own home in just 15 minutes per day.
Grab your Free Copy of the Guide to Discover How and Why This Works
It explains that the best results depend on science and biology not just willpower. If you have trouble sticking to a diet, it turns out it’s not your fault. You could even lose weight without diet and exercise.
Yes in the end it comes down to how much you want it. As with most things in life your motivation is key. Your desire to lose weight has to be greater than the short term pleasure you get from that extra dessert or sitting on the couch for hours. But if applying science makes that easier then I’m all for it.
Choose a non-fad way to lose weight, stick to your plan and you will feel healthier, fitter and happier.
