Are you Making these Weight Loss Mistakes?
By Sheila Dicks
There are all kinds of fad diets and quick fixes to weight loss out
there. In reality, if you want to lose weight (besides liposuction) there is
only one way to do it - that is to burn more calories than you consume. This
can be done by exercising on a regular basis and eating a well- balanced
diet. You don’t have to deprive yourself of certain foods or even sweets, if
you eat moderate amounts. If you are trying to lose weight and have not been
successful you maybe making these weight loss mistakes:
1. Starvation: If when you decide to lose weight you stop eating or eat
very little those first pounds you lose are muscle and water. So, when you
begin to eat again (and you will because you can’t continue like that) you
will have less lean muscle mass (muscle burns calories) and you will gain
faster. You will actually become fatter – you will have more fat than you
had before you started the diet.
2. Skipping meals or skipping breakfast: When you don’t eat for awhile
your body thinks it is being starved and will hold on to calories by slowing
down the number of calories it burns. When you begin to eat again you will
burn fewer calories and gain weight faster. Also, because you haven’t eaten
in awhile you will more likely eat more and make bad food choices.
3. A diet that consists of only 1 or 2 choices: Any diet that deprives
you of the basic food groups will not work. You will probably lose weight in
the short term but it will be bad for your health and, again when you go
back to your regular eating patterns the weight will come back too.
4. Eating Lots of Vegetables: Do you think you read that wrong? No, you
didn’t. Eating lots of vegetables is great, however when they are soaked in
a high calorie dressing you will probably gain more weight than you will
ever lose. Count the calories in everything you consume – especially the
dressings.
5. Not exercising: Moving will make those pounds come off a lot faster.
If you don’t like to exercise (and many don’t) incorporate movement into
your day. Walk up the stairs rather than taking the elevator, park at the
far end of the parking lot or walk to work if you can. Twenty minutes of
exercise a day will make a difference and you will burn more calories.
When you have decided to eat healthy foods and count calories and you
still have the urge to snack use these suggestions to curb the cravings:
* When you feel the urge to eat, do something active instead to distract
yourself such as getting out of the house away from the food. It is a good
idea to have some projects lined up to keep you busy before you start.
* Brush your teeth
* Drink water. Besides making you feel full water will keep you occupied
and is good for your skin.
* If you absolutely have to eat, choose crunchy vegetables (pre-cut),
pretzels, rice cakes or low fat popcorn.
©Copyright 2005 Sheila Dicks
Sheila Dicks is an Image and Wardrobe consultant who helps women learn
how to dress to suit their body type and look fabulous. You can reach her at
http://www.sheilasfashionsense.com to download her ebook, "Image
Makeovers" and get "How to Build a Wardrobe" ebook free.
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