5 Weight Loss Rules For The Resistant Dieter
It is a myth that “all diets work” and that the only difficulty is that people just can’t keep the weight off after they lose it. Some people, women especially have bodies that are very resistant to weight loss and they never seem to be able to lose a pound in the first place.
As a experienced dieter who had for many years been trying different avenues to lose weight I knew that this was not a fact. The issue was that there had been many diet programs that I tried and followed the advice religiously only to see the scale not move at all. True story, the scale did not register the drop of even one pound. My body was completely resistant to losing weight.
It is a biological thing for women. Men will always be able to lose weight and gain muscle easier and faster than women because women are biologically designed to hold onto the fat. In the scarce event of a famine our bodies are designed not only to make sure we stay alive but also to keep any offspring that we may be carrying alive. Biologically it is just more challenging for women to lose weight.
But over the years I have learned quite a bit about what works to lose weight and what won’t work. Here are the most important five rules that I have come up with.
The first rule is simple. You must eat. You must eat at least 3 meals and even as many as 6 small meals every day. Eating at regular intervals keeps you blood sugars level and it keeps you from bingeing and eating everything in site later. Your metabolism will keep burning calories if it knows there is no shortage. If your body thinks it is starving your metabolism will shut down and your body will reserve the fat.
Second is to substitute quality for quantity. Empty calories that provide no inherent nutritional value do nothing to fill you up and eating nutritionally void food is a sure way to pack on the pounds. Cravings are many times caused by a deficiency of vital nutrients so it is crucial to choose high quality, nutritionally dense foods. Stay away from the “white stuff’, meaning white flour and white sugar.
Third, be sure to add some protein with every meal. High protein diets work because protein digests slower than carbohydrates; especially simple carbohydrates and proteins will not cause a sugar spike in your bloodstream. When you add protein you are not nearly as hungry later on and you wind up consuming fewer calories.
The fourth rule is to be selective in the carbohydrates that you eat. Simple carbs, such as baked goods made with white flour and anything that is pure sugar will just send your blood sugar soaring and that will make you hungry again in a very short time. It will also go straight to your fat deposits, as it adds no nutritional advantage. Complex carbs, such as whole grains and vegetables have fiber, which keeps your digestive system running smoothly and they also provide excellent nutrition.
Fifth is to begin an exercise program. Start moving. Take the stairs. Take a walk. Move more. You can begin slow and work your way up but exercise is critical for long-term weight loss success.
This is a lifetime commitment. Few people with weight problems conquer it once and for all. It is a commitment you make everyday. But if you adhere to these rules for the majority of the time you will be on your way to a lean body.