You finally found a diet that works! Everyone was talking about it and they even featured it on the news. The testimonials were extremely convincing. The people experienced many of the same problems you have and their stories of success were so encouraging. You studied every detail of the plan and set your sights on that lean, fit body you've always wanted. You lost several pounds at first but the initial progress soon slowed and, eventually stopped all together. Something just didn't feel right and old memories of failed diets started to replace your hopes and dreams of a youthful healthy physique. A diet that looked so promising at first, ultimately turned out to be just another unsuccessful diet.
If you're one of the many who has subscribed to one or more unsuccessful diet plans only to find yourself disappointed with the results, you're definitely not alone. In today's information age, understanding how to control your weight should be common knowledge but I'm sorry to say, the facts and statistics show this is not the case at all. Health problems such as eating disorders, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, just to name a few, are near epidemic levels and for some reason we're making very little progress in solving them. Americans spend over $40 billion dollars a year on
dieting and diet related products, but unfortunately, 95% of all dieters regain their lost weight and more in 1 to 5 years.
The reason why most diets are unsuccessful is they focus entirely on weight loss while inadvertently robbing the body of the nutrients it needs to keep you healthy and fit. Low calorie diets, diet pills, and diet supplements that suppress your appetite are unhealthy short term attempts to lose excess body-fat with very little regard for the well-being of your healthy body-weight. When used over an extended period of time they will lower your energy levels, slow your metabolism, limit your ability to recuperate from exercise, impair your senses, and lower your resistance to sickness. Dr. D.W. Cavanaugh of Cornell University writes; "There is only one major disease and that is malnutrition". Diets that deprive your healthy body of sufficient amounts of nutrition will never result in long term healthy weight loss.
Simplify weight loss and learn to avoid unsuccessful diets by thinking of your body as two distinct parts. Stand in front of the mirror and visualize yourself with minimum body-fat percentages. This is your healthy body-weight at this time; the first part. Its present condition is a reflection of the fuel and maintenance you've provided it with. Dieters are often so preoccupied with losing weight they sometimes overlook the fact that the healthy body they desire, to some degree, is already there.
The excess body-fat you would like to lose is the second part. This is the result of a nutritional regimen that doesn't coincide with your healthy body's needs at this time. Your nutritional needs vary depending on your specific lifestyle and goals but with a little guidance and practice, your visions of a healthy physique will soon begin to materialize.
The safest and most effective way to control your body-weight is to eat a consistent well balanced diet and make small changes every two or three weeks until you find the combinations that work best for you. Due to the fact that your body continuously changes, finding the perfect balance is a constant process that can always be improved. Make it a hobby and remember, even a step in the wrong direction can be considered progress if you learn from it.
Eating four to six meals a day will keep your metabolism running smoothly and help your body avoid the need to store fat. Your meals should consist of foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. Unrefined and unadulterated foods are the best source of nutrition because they are complete-by-design so your body can utilize the nutrients in them. Put more emphasis on the nutritional value of foods and less on counting calories.
Marketers love to keep you focused on calories so you'll buy their overly processed foods, fast foods, and junk foods. A calorie is not a calorie and these types of foods are basically empty calories and incomplete nutrient sources. They cause an imbalance within your body and do very little to satisfy your hunger because your body still craves the missing nutrients. If you keep your healthy body-weight well nourished and follow a reasonable exercise routine that fits comfortably into your preferred lifestyle, the excess weight will naturally disappear.
When you make the decision to follow a healthier way of life, visualize your goal with a positive attitude and have faith in yourself. Your present physical condition is, for the most part, just a result of the health and fitness habits you've developed throughout your lifetime. Habits are learned through practice; practice healthier ones. A reasonable level of fitness is a natural side-effect of a healthy lifestyle. Remember, a well designed fitness routine will never leave you hungry, tired, or sore. With a little assistance from an accomplished fitness professional you can easily create the healthy physique you desire by gradually changing your lifestyle to a healthier one.