Weight Loss Truths - Un-Sugar Coated
Copyright 2006 Karen Sessions
Millions of people are currently on a weight loss mission. Sadly, only a small fraction will lose weight, and half of those that do succeed will put it right back on in a matter of months.
The weight loss product industry makes billions of dollars yearly at the whim of desperate consumers looking for that quick fix, that magic pill, or the revolutionary machine that will make them lose weight.
Weight loss does not come in a bottle or a machine. It never has, and it never will. True weight loss takes proper nutrition, exercise, and rest. There are no short cuts, quick fixes, overnight miracles, or FDA approved drugs that will force the fat off your body, much less keep it off.
While you read this revealing article keep a few key points in mind.
These are the truths that you may not want to hear, but need to. Here are the weight loss truths, un-sugar coated.
Weight Loss Truth #1 - You will not lose 5-10 pounds of body fat in a week
If you want to lose fat and keep it off, then it's going to take some time. I won't guarantee 5-10 pound weight loss in a week or two, but I will say you can realistically lose 1-2 pounds of body fat a week, and gain lean muscle at the same rate. You didn't put the weight on overnight, and therefore it's not going to magically disappear overnight.
True weight loss is fat loss?not muscle loss, not water or bone loss, but fat loss. Losing 5-10 pounds or more a week is a loss of bone, muscle, and water, which results in a destroyed metabolism.
Scale weight is obsolete, as the scale is only a measuring device, unable to distinguish between muscle, fat, bone, and water weight.
Weight Loss Truth #2 - There is no quick fix to fat loss, and fad diets are worthless
Lose 40 pounds in a week! Lose weight while you sleep! Rapid weight loss! Lose weight without diet or exercise! These are consumer hot buttons, causing you to buy products with your emotions.
They are misleading and just plain lies, lies, and lies.
Fad diets and "quick fix" products will drain your wallet and leave you feeling worse than when you started. The only weight you will lose on a fad diet or a quick fix is water, muscle, and bone.
These are not desired results, as they lead to metabolic downgrade and increased fat storage.
Lotions, potions, and gadgets for fat loss should be tossed out the window. They are worthless.
Taking fat off requires nutrients and exercise. It's that simple, yet rarely told to you because the weight loss product industry's job it to make an insane amount of money.
Weight Loss Truth #3 - You have to stop eating processed foods labeled "healthy," "low-fat," or "low-carb".
Food labels are misleading and can cause you to gain more fat in the long run. They are completely processed.
Prepackaged meals and "diet foods" contain chemicals that your body can't metabolize and therefore, it slows down your metabolism. Chemicals that don't leave your body become toxins and get lodged in your fat cells, making fat loss even more difficult.
Weight Loss Truth #4 - You will have to put forth the effort if you want to lose fat
The body is made to be nourished and to be physical. If you want to lose fat you have to eat right and get moving.
It may not be glamorous or fun, but it's a must if you want to shed the fat.
There are a number of things you can do for exercise, such as walking, in-line skating, weight training, biking, hiking, swimming, etc. Whatever your choice is, just do it.
Weight Loss Truth #5 - You will not be a supermodel or swimsuit model
Well, I'm not saying this can't or won't happen, but my point is that many weight loss ads suggest that after you take their product you will look like the supermodel marketing the product.
Remember, models are models. They are spokespersons for the company. They are just doing their job. Just because a supermodel is holding a bottle of the latest cortisol blocker does not mean you will look like her by taking that product.
Weight Loss Truth #6 - Muscle does not weigh more than fat
There is a misconception linked with weight training, that muscle weighs more than fat.
I've heard Dr. Phil say this (yes, the wonderful "dieting expert"), as well as Bob Greene, Oprah's personal trainer. These people are looked upon as icons, yet they are giving out false information.
Muscle does not weigh more than fat. Go do the experiment yourself right now. Grab two pounds of chicken fat and weigh it, and then weigh two pounds of chicken meat (muscle).
Which weighs more? Neither. Two pounds of fat weighs the same as two pounds of muscle, two pounds.
Muscle is more dense than fat and it takes up less space. Therefore, it would be ideal to add muscle to your frame because it's more dense, creates curves, and it increases your metabolism.
Weight Loss Truth #7 - You can't spot reduce
Doing a thousand leg lifts won't reduce your thighs any faster than doing a thousand crunches to tone your abs. Simply, and sadly put, you cannot spot reduce. Doing crunches upon crunches will only build the underlying abdominal muscle beneath your layer of tummy fat.
To trim down flabby areas you need to eat several small balanced meals that are unprocessed, and you need to exercise.
When your body fat begins to reduce, your trouble spots will begin to shape up.
Weight Loss Truth #8 - Weight loss is a lifestyle
Losing weight properly, which is reducing body fat and building lean muscle tissue, should not be a one-shot approach; it should be a lifetime commitment. If you ever go back to your old destructive habits you will become out of shape again, and will have to work twice as hard to get back in shape.
Adopt a healthy eating and exercise lifestyle, and maintain it for the rest of your life. Doing so will keep you fit, energetic, slow down the aging process, keep you looking young, and it will prevent early degenerative diseases.
Being healthy and in shape is not genetic, it's by choice. Make the right choice today.
Weight Loss Truths Conclusion
Now that you have the weight loss truths, begin to work on them to improve your health and to get in shape. Your health and your body are yours, and you have to work daily to keep them functioning correctly and to give you the look you want.
Once you get in the shape you want to be in, all you have to do from there is simple maintenance, which becomes something you do daily, such as brushing your teeth or shaving your legs.
Do your body right and it won't steer you wrong.
.
http://www.theelitephysique.com
Eating Out Can Be Hazardous To Your Waistline
Going out to eat can really put the brakes on your weight loss program unless you have exceptional control over what you eat.
Although many restaurants now offer choices for many types of diets, it's whats on the rest of the menu that might tempt you to stray.
Often high in salt, sugar and oil most restaurant food tends to be higher in calories that what you might prepare for yourself.
And Americans are eating out more and more.
According to Dr. Caroline Cederquist, a physician who specializes in weight management,
less than 20 percent of the calories Americans consumed were eaten outside the home in 1978 but in
2003, that number had climbed to 50 percent.
Combine that with the fact that obesity in Americans is growing each year with as many as two thirds of Americans being overweight and you might come to the conclusion that eating out can be hazardous to your waistline.
One problem is that restaurants...
Diets > Eating Out Can Be Hazardous To Your Waistline
Health and fitness software, what should be in it? Part 1
Let's keep the answer simple; everything that is related to your health.
The most important indicators for your state of health can be measured though your vital signs, like blood pressure, cholesterol level, heart beat, body mass index etcetera. The major input that influence these health indicators are what and how much you eat and drink, smoke, medication use, life style, daily activity and air quality.
Beside our genetic disposition, we are what we eat, drink and breathe.
A good health and fitness software program should be able to capture the above mentioned input and correlate the results with the output, or health indicators. This way you create a cause and effect system that the user can analyze and consequently take corrective measures and improve his or her overall health.
The bigger picture teaches us that an effective health and fitness software program contains modules that can monitor our food intake, record...
Diets > Health and fitness software, what should be in it? Part 1
Diet Information: Detox Diets
Detoxing diets are not so much about weight loss, but about cleansing the body by removing poisons and toxins. This type of dietary programme has gained popularity in the Western world as people become more aware about overloading their body with foods and drinks that are toxic.Celebrities such as Carol Vorderman and Kim Wilde advocate a regular ?detox' to keep them healthy and trim.A detox programme can be beneficial to your overall health by also retraining your taste buds and appetite ? but, as with all dietary programmes, always consult your Doctor before embarking on one. Most people who do go on a detox diet find that they do lose weight and maintain a healthier eating plan even after the detox has finished.There are many different types of detoxing programmes available which you can find out about online or in books and other resources. There are liquid detox diets (normally found in chemists) but these should only be followed for the recommended time on the instructions as such...
Diet Information: Detox Diets
Diets > Diet Information: Detox Diets
Colon Cleanse Recipes ? Is it Possible to Make My Own?
Searching for colon cleanse recipes can be a bit like hunting for hay in a haystack ? there's so many of them around that it can be just a little overwhelming! But while it might be simple enough to find a free colon cleanse recipe using the Internet, there's no guarantee that the homemade cleanser you end up with will be any good, or even match your particular needs. So while it might be eminently possible to make your own effective colon cleanser in the comfort of your own home, it makes sense to exercise some care before you start to purchase the ingredients suggested by a free colon cleaner recipe you stumble across on the internet.
As with any information you find, from any source, remember that it was put together by another mere mortal like yourself. Be sure to check the credentials of the writer of any colon cleanse recipe you find. Many free recipes have been put together by alternative health professionals, while some will simply be the result of the homemade...
Diets > Colon Cleanse Recipes ? Is it Possible to Make My Own?