Shortcuts to weight loss....not the answer!

J

Jeny

0
It’s not going to happen. Hard work, a sense of control and will power is how you get healthy. I don’t understand why people disregard their health for years and years – then suddenly, because they’re going on holiday etc they want to lose weight quickly. What happens after the holiday – do they go back not exercising and eating junk – or better – while on holiday – do they maintain the healthy routines and eating habits?

Losing weight fast is putting a lot of pressure on your body to do things differently in a short space of time. Why not stop yourself, have a think about what you’re doing and take it easy and slowly but surely – making small changes will show you progress which you’re happy with at a pace which your body can keep to.
 
Simple bit of math that I use to show people what can be done realistically.

Fat = 3,500 calories a pound.

Average human being uses half of this amount of energy in a day.

If you lose 3 pounds in a day and think it's all fat then you have to seriously assess is you have really done enough activity to have burned a weeks worth of calories and only consumed a days worth.
Quick losses like this are water, simple inescapable truth in well over 99% of cases and the sub 1% are when top class athletes are doing endurance events.

Losing 1 pound a week of fat means having burned 500 calories a day more than you have consumed which is impressive. 2 pounds in a week means 1,000 calories a day deficit which is incredible, especially when considering that is over half the average calorie need.
People tend to see this amount as a failure which shows how much attention is spent looking at stupid hyped claims and how little is spent learning facts.

We have had a number coming to this thread for quick fix ideas, many tend to leave in a hurry when everyone tells them there are no safe or effective versions of this. There are a few who have come in with realistic aims and seen the facts encouraging when there have been fluctuations in weight loss. Every one of them has done well, over time.
 
That's exactly it - it takes time. It's not going to happen in 1 month because you ate lettuce everyday and ran 5kms. People come on looking for instant results and simple solutions - but with a bit of work and some patience - the long term results are so much better.

I think the realisation that there are no quick fix ideas needs to be mentioned time and time again.
 
1. Downsize Your Dishes

Portion sizes aren’t the only things that have grown bigger in recent years. So have the plates and bowls on which they’re served. If you have a tendency to pile your plate high and finish it all, try switching to smaller dishes.

Use a side plate instead of a dinner plate for your main dish. Ignore the giant pasta bowls and use a smaller cereal bowl to serve spaghetti. If the plates you already have won’t do, buy an inexpensive set of ‘downsized’ plates and bowls for everyday use. Another clever way to make a little less food seem like more: use a dessert fork instead of a regular fork, and a teaspoon for your soup and cereal.
2. Slim Your Sips

Plenty of people look to a cola for a pick-me-up in the mid afternoon. If you’re still reaching for soft drinks or other beverages sweetened with sugar, you’re drinking a lot of calories that aren’t doing much to satisfy hunger.

Studies show that these drinks slip down without triggering satiety signals. If you drink a 330 g can of cola you’ll consume 130 calories or more before you know it. This week, switch to sugar-free versions of your favourite drinks. Or try something new and add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to a glass of sparkling water.
3. Go for the Gold

If you’re a walker increase your pace this week. On day one, walk at your normal pace and keep track of how long it takes you to do your normal circuit. On day two, try shaving off a minute of your time. Be aware of how you feel. A good, brisk, walk should leave you feeling winded but not gasping for air.

The quicker your pace, the more calories you burn each minute. An 82 kg person burn 4.7 calories per minute walking at a leisurely 20-minute mile pace (three miles an hour). Speeding up to a 15-minute mile (four miles an hour, about as fast as most people can walk comfortably) increases the number of calories burned to 7.2 per minute. You’ll also increase your fitness level, which will translate into more stamina and energy.

If you swim, jog, bicycle, exercise at a gym, or do another kind of activity, nudge your workout a bit this week by putting in a little more time or pushing the intensity a little harder.
 
Figuring out how to lose weight is a challenge for many of us, particularly considering that the quickest path to weight loss is different for everyone. Of course, the common denominator is always proper diet and exercise, which not only aid in weight loss, but also keep a body healthy. Of course you've heard this before - the challenge is to follow through. Others have lost weight by following these simple guidelines, and so can you.


______________________
aliii
 
I found myself that this is what works best. It's easy to put on weight fast, but it is not that easy to lose weight fast.
 
There are no shortcuts but some easy changes are:
-Drink 1 ltr water for every 25kgs you are
-Eat 5-8 smaller healthy meals a day
-cut out sugar & sodas
-do some muscle building exercises to speed up your metabolism... push ups, dips, sit ups, lunges, squats - all can be done at home
-walk 3-4 times a week
-incorporate some fat burning foods into your diet.

And don't get sucked into gimmicks!
 
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