by Felicia Plantain
For many people the idea of losing unwanted pounds is a daunting prospect. If you fit into this category you probably have the idea that weight loss runs hand in hand with denying yourself the pleasure of eating what you want, feeling drained physically and / or exercising to the point of exhaustion. Either exercising or dieting can lead to weight loss, but if you want to lose weight and keep it off it could be time for a change of lifestyle for you.
I’m sure you′ve heard that phrase before - “lifestyle change” - and it may not be any more appealing to you than the phrase “weight loss”. But a lifestyle change does not have to be unappealing! Moderation is the key. (Another one of those phrases that you’ve heard often throughout your life but usually in a negative context, such as “…stop eating so much!”)
When you apply moderation as a positive influence in your life it can hold the key to lifestyle transformation that is comfortable to implement, and weight loss that is gradual and maintainable.
It can be difficult to moderate your negative habits, but it can often be quite easy to apply moderation to positive habits, ones that would be difficult to pattern immediately if applied excessively. You may need to cut sweets out of your diet, but you find the idea of cutting them out completely unsustainable. Taking up running will certainly cause you to lose weight - but it can be dangerous of you take on too much too soon.
Miracle diets make claims that you can lose pounds of fat quickly, but they’re meant to be short lived. It is a well established fact that losing weight involves balancing your caloric intake with your output in activity. Big changes in either your intake or your activity level can produce weight loss, but big changes are difficult to implement and to maintain.
The key is to implement positive change in your lifestyle and to do it very slowly - so slowly that it is easy. You can make little changes and then gradually increase them as you become more comfortable in a new routine. Here are a few changes that you can make that can be implemented gradually and that will help you lose weight and feel better:
1) Drink lots of water. This is an easy change that can have a big impact on the amount you eat. Just keep a sixteen or twenty ounce water bottle with you during the day, and see how many times you can drain it and fill it back up again. You should try to consume about a half-ounce of water per day for every pound of body weight that you have. That’s a lot of water, but you don’t have to try to drink that much the first day: start slowly and just pay attention to how much you drink. If you monitor how much you drink, the amount will go up naturally without much effort on your part. Water is a natural appetite suppressant you need it for proper hydration and for your body to function efficiently.
2) Increase your level of physical activity. We’ve all heard this before, right? What you’re not told is to start very, very, VERY slowly - so slowly you hardly notice. If you set a goal for yourself that is too aggressive and difficult to attain, you will almost certainly fail. Set a goal that is easy to attain and hit it, and you’ll be ready to build on that success. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Go for a walk before you leave for work. When you get home from work - go for a walk! Walking is one of the most relaxing and beneficial weight loss habits that you can learn. Turn on the television or go for a walk? Get a snack or go for a walk? These are easy choices, and you can make the healthy one several times a day instead of that other one and begin to feel the difference. Remember: small goals, small steps, implemented consistently.
3) Get more rest. Clinical studies have shown that there is a close correlation to lack of sleep and weight gain. Those deprived of sleep tend to opt for high calorie foods, and the hormones that regulate appetite and that full feeling you get right after a meal get all out of whack if you haven’t had enough sleep. Shoot for eight hours of sleep per night. If you can’t find enough hours in the day, get as close as you can to that number. Your body needs rest in order to maintain a healthy balance, and sleep will help keep your appetite at bay.
4) Moderate your diet. Don’t panic! You don’t have to do this all alone, or all at once! You’re drinking more water now, so this should slow your appetite a bit. Find a safe over-the-counter appetite suppressant and take this during the day - it can help you reduce the calories that you eat in between meals. Adjust your diet to include healthier, more natural foods - nutritionists agree that natural foods are more easily digested by your body and lead to a healthier, leaner you. Whatever you do, don’t try to change your diet all at once. Baby steps - gradually moderate your intake to match your level of physical activity.
There you have it - if you slowly and consistently implement the steps outlined above you will begin to change your lifestyle for the better, you’ll feel better and you will begin to shed unwanted pounds. Best of all, since the change is gradual and progressive, you’ll keep that weight off. Go slowly! Remember: moderation is key.
About the Author:
Felicia has been researching and using
weight loss products for over twenty years and is an expert in natural and healthy weight loss. Visit our site to purchase the very best in natural health care and
natural weight control products.