Maintaining Proper Body Weight beyond Fast Track Dieting

Is the size of your pants more important or does sticking to a regular health and fitness program count more?  We all know what we are supposed to answer, but the truth is many of us are looking for fast weight loss to look good and fit in.   

Unfortunately, a fast and easy fix is not part of the solution to getting on the right track of maintaining proper body weight and optimal health.  When the only goal we are working towards is quick weight loss through crash dieting we fail easily for the following reasons:

• Old habits are easier than new
• Too much too soon does not allow for lifestyle change.
• Palette outweighs the problem.
• Boring to follow a diet.
• Plateau on weight loss and quit.

Frequent physical activity is the missing answer.  Exercise and what we eat regulates the metabolism.  Dieting alone actually works to slow the metabolism down.  Eating close to little or nothing while dieting will cause the body to conserve energy as fewer calories are available to burn.  Exercise gives the body permission to burn calories thus enabling the metabolic rate to work quickly.  Physical activity is a crucial component in the proper functioning of the metabolism and will help allow the body to utilize and burn calories. 

Even if weight loss does not happen at a rapid pace like we would like it to, the benefits we receive from consistent exercise and good nutrition far outweigh crash dieting.  Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and diabetes.  Working out promotes psychological well being and reduces the risk of developing colon cancer, reduces feelings of depression and anxiety and helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.  It also promotes falling asleep faster and deepening your sleep.

After trying and failing on several diets, it’s easy to feel frustrated, confused and even hopeless that your goal of losing weight is just too hard.   There is work involved when it comes to losing weight and healthy living, but it can  also be a fun journey if we allow it to be.  Psychologists believe a successful strategy to long term weight loss must include:

• Motivation (weight rarely works)
• Commitment
• Planning
• Goal Setting
• Belief in one’s ability to succeed

Eating the right amounts of foods such as healthy fats, whole-grain foods, fruits, vegetables and proteins combined with exercise can begin to enrich our lives.

Are you ready?

Resources:

• Nicki Anderson, Reality Fitness, Inc.
• Roizen, Michael F. M.D and Mehmet C. Oz, M.D. You, The Owner’s Manual. New York: Harper Collins Books, 2005
• MayoClinic. July 27, 2007.Mayo Clinic Staff. July 12, 2008.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676