All dieters are not created equal. There is a great difference in how much extra weight we are carrying, how fit we are and what kinds of foods we like to eat.
So “losing weight fast” has a different meaning to each of us. We need clear goals in mind or our chances of dieting successfully are not very good.
Along with reading this article, make sure you write down what you expect to achieve. Make sure you use your own personal opinions and not those of others.
Then do a reality check. Are these goals that you can achieve? Do they accommodate your strengths and your weaknesses? Make sure that your goals don’t overtax your weaknesses.
Realistic goals are super important. Better to be a little less aggressive in your diet plan than to risk the whole deal by setting targets that will be too difficult for you to reach.
Don’t skip this step or take it lightly. Unrealistic weight loss expectations are another big contributor to the high failures rate for dieters.
So, let’s get started.
The percentage of junk food in many diets today is just too high. This kind of food is lacking in nutrition, full of harmful additives and can contain as much as 3000 calories in a single sitting. Add to this the fact that much of this junk is packed with the most health endangering fats you find, it is clear that this stuff is not the way to go.
Simply staying away from this phony food will put you on the right track towards dropping the pounds you want to lose.
Find your way to the fruit and vegetable section of the food stores. Going for the more complex carbohydrates and high-fibers is a great decision as well.
Raising your metabolism is one of the real secrets of effective weight loss. Consuming these types of quality foods will have your metabolism quickly moving in the right direction.
These kinds of foods help raise your metabolism and they are more “expensive” in terms of calories to digest.
2) Load up on the water.
We hear this all of the time. That’s because it is darn good advice. However, there is more to “lots” of water than just drink 8 glasses. For some people this is too much, for others it’s too little. Of course for some, it’s just right. Your age, your average level of activity and how much you weigh, determine how much water you should drink.
I know, everyone says this and usually “lots” is either unspecified or simply stated as 8 glasses of water a day. In truth, getting an accurate answer to this question is very complex. Age, weight, activity, etc. all play a part in determining an accurate answer.
This method has the advantage of compensating more accurately for the weight differences among people. If you weigh say 120 pounds, this formula predicts that 7 1/2 glasses of water a day should be a good amount for you.
I am partial to this method because it helps to account for the dramatic difference in weight among people. If you weigh 120 pounds, you should be drinking 60 ounces of water or 7 1/2 glasses of water a day.
The size of your food portions are a major player in “the lose” fat game. If you can cut your portions by 10% to 20%, you can make a big difference. If this is hard for you, try substituting some of your high calorie food with low calorie alternatives like apples, celery, tomatoes, grapefruit etc.
4) Declare one day a week as “Wild Menu Day.”
Diets are blown on a regular basis because people crack under the stress of constant constraint. So don’t take this step lightly . . . it can save your diet.
Once a week, give yourself open menu rights. Eat the foods you enjoy and leave the guilt behind. This is your relief day; enjoy it and come back refreshed and ready to lose a few more pounds.
Give yourself a “free” day and eat what you want. Want a pizza, have a pizza, Big Mac or whatever. It’s a scheduled event, so there’s no need to feel guilty. Enjoy the day.
5) Aways keep a “Plan B” pack with you.
There is another situation that causes a lot of diet failure: having to eat out and not being able to find the right foods to eat.
Protect yourself from this possibility by packing some healthy snacks in something like a thermos lunchbox. Then always keep this on hand.
Avoiding temptation is what we are trying to achieve here. If it’s not your free food day, we don’t want to be breaking our stride.
A last important item is self-consideration . . . be kind to yourself; something dieters rarely do. A slip-up is not the end of the world.
There is nothing natural or easy about dieting. If you slip, do not throw your gains away by getting frustrated and giving up. Maintain your commitment; don’t be swayed by any negativity you may come in contact with. Say “oops” and realize that tomorrow’s another day.
Always relish your successes, large or small. The pounds you drop are your badges of honor . . . wear them proudly. This will give you the spiritual lift to lose another pound, and then another. Then one day, before you know it, you are there . . . your perfect weight.
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