When you want to slim down for a big event, or just shed some excess weight, there can be a very strong temptation to find the fastest way to lose it. Mistakenly, thousands of people look to the latest trend or fad diet, most of which are dangerous and not sustainable in the long term.
When you want to become a little bit more healthy or lose weight and keep it off, there is no quick fix. You need a diet that is well balanced and maintainable over time. Your eating habits should be the first thing you look into to achieve any sort of healthy weight loss. Find what foods you turn to when you’re feeling emotional or stressed. Look at what bad food habits you have gotten in to. Make note of these and when you tend to eat poorly. By understanding how your mind is influencing the way you eat, you can find a sustainable healthy eating plan to work with it.
Find something Nutritionally right for you.
Most crash diets work on a “one plan fits all” basis. This can be a problem, as no two humans digest or are affected by food in exactly the same way. Each body interprets and absorbs different foods over different time frames and they absorb different amounts. When we limit calories or eat only a certain type of food we may lose weight, but this kind of dieting has also been linked to loss of muscle mass and calcium deficiency. Talk to a doctor or a nutritionist to find a good well balanced diet for you and your lifestyle.
Don’t become a victim of the yo-yo effect.
While you can drop weight quickly when crash dieting, there is some evidence to suggest that you can end up putting it back on as soon as you start eating normally again. More than that, it can even change your metabolism over time. Crash dieting can’t be sustainable because, as humans, we need variety and satiety. Following strict rules and depriving yourself will inevitably lead to overeating or even breaking your diet completely when cravings get to be too much.
A cheat day or eating in moderation can be the best thing you do for yourself. Making healthy and low calorie choices is a skill that can be learned over time and done safely. Avoiding yo-yo dieting and committing to finding a sustainable meal plan will help you achieve your goals.
Additionally, there are a wide array of products that provide reprise from the feeling of hunger when you’re attempting to alter your eating habits. While it’s good to make sure that these weight loss products fit with both your goals and dietary needs, they should not be overlooked when planning a safe, healthy transition.
Beware the hidden costs.
Most crash diets have huge hidden costs. These programs generally have a sign up fee or a book you must purchase to follow. By jumping on the next way to get thin fast, you could be pouring thousands of dollars down the drain. Think about what you are paying for. If you tend to jump from diet to diet, look at how much you’ve spent over the last few years.
By doing some research into the science behind the claims and looking for something based more on the health and wellbeing of the participants, you may find something worth investing in. Make sure you also talk to your doctor about what might work for you.
The old saying goes; Rome wasn’t built in a day. Dieting similarity is a journey into better health. No matter what your reason for losing weight, it is important to make sure you aren’t taking any health risks or starving yourself to get there. Often, a slow, measured approach can mean not only a change in your dress size, but a change in your outlook and even your longevity. Find a diet that will work for you over the long term, not just the short.