Weight Loss Methods

According to a recent report, ANY DIET that limits calorie intake to 1500 calories per day will result in weight loss. However, this groundbreaking report emphasizes that only a diet that is moderate in fat and high in complex carbohydrates will help you keep weight off permanently. In addition, this moderate fat, high carbohydrate diet -- which is what we serves up in our daily meal plans--is the only proven way to produce long term health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and blood pressure levels and reducing cancer risks.This basically tells you that you can loose weight on any of the diets, if you keep the calories down. The trick is how you maintain that weight loss and that, according to experts, can be achieved through a daily diet with no more than 30% of calories as fat and 20% of calories as protein.

The recent report rowns at unorthodox but yet popular weight loss programs such as the high protein Atkins diet and other similar dietary regimes. While high protein diets seem to produce a significant weight loss in a quick amount of time such diets produce a greater loss of body water than of fat. Other evidence against these high protein diets include the fact that there are no controlled, randomized studies which support the loss of body fat even over the long haul. One other strike against them: there is no evidence that such diets help to reduce blood cholesterol or improve blood sugar levels.

Carrying excess body weight is a significant risk factor for heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and other chronic health conditions. In addition to daily eating a moderate fat, high complex carbohydrate diet, regular exercise and social support are critical adjuncts in keeping weight off.

Think your way to weight loss!

1. Positive thinking is absolutely essential when attempting to stay on a weight management plan. But, many of us lack some of the positive focus that's necessary to reach our target weight. Try to consider habits that will accent the positive aspects of yourself and the "up" side of weight loss:
Write and say affirmations. Affirmations can be any statement that reinforces a positive quality about you. For example, "I'm beautiful just the way I am."

2. Surround yourself with supportive people. Don't waste time with friends or people who try to talk you out of your weight management efforts. Instead, spend time with friends who share similar challenges and make some new acquaintances. Success is more likely when you have support.

3. Take care of yourself. If you take care of your health needs, you will feel better physically and emotionally. Have a yearly physical and don't skip your dental and eye exams. Enlist the help of your physician during your weight management program. It won't hurt to have your blood pressure monitored throughout your progress.

4. Enjoy the weather. Spending time outdoors can be truly uplifting and can help you stay motivated.

5. Monitor your goals. Don't worry if you don't lose weight each week. Measure your progress by how you are feeling and how your clothes fit -- not by the numbers on the scale!

6. Talk it out. Talk with a therapist or someone who understands the challenges of weight management. Join a support group or enlist the help of a spouse or family member.

7. Get away from it all. Take a short day trip or mini-adventure each weekend. This will help you avoid the dieting routine and will increase your activity level. Reward yourself for each achieved goal by checking out a new town or city.

8. Be kind to yourself. Remember that it will take time to reach your goals. Be realistic and understand that it didn't take you one week to gain 20 pounds -- so, it will take more than one week to lose this weight. Give yourself permission to occasionally make mistakes!

Fighting family fat

1 in 3 adults, and 1 in 5 kids are overweight. Despite widespread efforts to treat this epidemic, these spreads continue to widen at an alarming rate. While there's no doubt some of us are genetically destined to carry around a little extra baggage, many of us tip the scales because we eat too much and move too little. We eat on the go, "super size" our food portions, and spend too much time in front of our televisions and computer screens. If you and your family struggle with weight, don't despair. There are many healthy steps you can take to win your fight against fat.