Eating To Lose Weight: Why Diets Don't Work

Are you trying to lose weight? Have you tried every diet out there and keep waiting for the next 'best diet' to come along because you know it will be the one that gets the results you want? Stop Waiting! Every year millions of Americans spend $30 billion on diet programs and diet products to no avail. Diets don't work!

The only way to successful and permanent weight loss is to make permanent changes in your lifestyle by integrating proper nutrition and exercise. If you continue to do what you are doing, you will remain exactly where you are.

Your weight is a result of several factors including:
• How much and what kinds of foods you eat.
• How much regular exercise is included in your lifestyle?
• Do you respond to stress in your life by eating?
• Your genetic make-up.
• Your age and health status.

Depriving your body by dieting only complicates matters. Fad diets that ignore the principles of well balanced nutrition may result in short term weight loss, but may be risking your health. Eating healthy is relatively easy if you are willing to make the necessary changes.

Most individuals trying to lose weight will cut back their eating to maybe two meals per day. You should be eating four to six smaller meals per day. Eating every 3 hours will keep you satisfied. Going long periods of time without eating only encourages the body to store more body fat, making weight loss even more difficult. Eating more frequently will speed up your metabolism and help you to burn more calories. In order to lose weight (burn body fat), you must eat. Instead of reducing the number of meals you eat, you should control portion sizes.

Your meals should include a lean protein, a starchy carbohydrate and a fibrous carbohydrate, with portions of each being approximately the same size. In other words you should be including fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, beans and low fat dairy products. Any diet restricting these foods is bound to fail.

Daily exercise must also be included. It can be as simple as taking stairs instead of the elevator, parking at the far end of the lot instead of waiting for a spot right by the door or playing with your kids. You can gradually increase exercise by walking, biking, swimming or some other activity you enjoy.

Adding strength training to your routine will greatly increase your success by maximizing your metabolism. As your body weight goes down your metabolism also slows down. To avoid a decrease in metabolism, incorporate strength training which adds muscle. Don't worry ladies, you won't bulk up. Muscle burns calories, so the more muscle you build, the more body fat you will lose.

In order to lose weight you must incorporate the total package. You need to eat well balanced meals and get sufficient exercise. It all comes down to burning more calories than you consume, while at the same time fueling your body adequately to burn body fat.

As always, check with your doctor before becoming more physically active or changing your nutrition, especially if you have a medical condition or concerns.

1. Prev:Is Your Belly Too Fat? Find Out How Big is Too Big
2. Next:How To Tell If Your Belly Is Growing Too Fat