Weight Loss Methods
Angela Rogers
December 13, 2007
The battle to lose weight can be frustrating, anxiety-producing, and depressing. Some people fight this battle only once or twice in their lifetimes, while others must wage a war throughout their entire lives. The reality is that every body is different, including its hereditary makeup, it metabolic rate, its ability to rid itself of excess ingredients, and its ability to utilize weight loss methods successfully. Further, the psycho-emotional makeup of individuals varies to such degrees, that motivation and self-discipline relative to dieting differ significantly. What works for one will not work for another, and this is part of the frustration involved in the process.
Each individual must discover the causes of his/her overweight condition and then establish an individual plan to resolve those causes. Once the causes are in check, the chances of success in any weight loss program truly increase.
Methods of weight loss may include one or more of the following. Again, remember that works for your best friend may not work for you – you have to explore, investigate, and experiment to find what you can live with.
1. Exercise. Exercise increases metabolism and burns calories. When you burn more calories than you take in, you lose weight – it’s that simple. If you can’t jump into aerobic activity right away, start walking, increasing pace and distance, move on to jogging, to running, and, finally, to aerobics. This plan will result in slower weight loss in the beginning but has the potential to be a lifetime cure if you can become accustomed to it regularly. Most people who develop a daily exercise routine find that they crave it.
2. Food. The source of all of the problems in the first place! People are overweight because they take in more calories than they use. Whatever the cause, physical or emotional, food intake has to be reduced. Many people have success with significant decreases in fat or carbohydrates or sugar. Choose one of these, and try it. If you love pastas and breads, lower your fat intake to less than 20 grams a day. If you have to have the fat, get rid of the pastas and breads. Or, if you can live without sugar, give up all sweets. Some foods have all three, so be careful. If you count grams (located on all food labels), you can reduce your intake of any one of these things.
3. High fiber foods: Many claim that high fiber foods assist with metabolism and elimination of what your body does not need to survive. A lot of people have lost weight this way, so don’t discount it until you try it.
4. Weight Loss Products: The drug stores are filled with diet pills, powders, drinks, snack bars, etc. You can try these and see if your appetite is curbed or if any of them give you more energy so that you burn more calories. Be careful of the products, however, because some have strong stimulants and have been factors in other medical problems.
5. Surgery: There are two forms of surgery currently in use – gastric bypass and banding. Gastric bypass is major stomach surgery and should not be undertaken without counseling and investigation. Banding is a less invasive procedure without the lengthy recovery time of bypass, however, the band can be stretched and adjustments may be required. Both of these procedures involve significant dietary changes, so be certain you are willing to abide by the post-surgery regimens.
6. Herbal Supplements: There are a variety of herbal ingredients with which some have experienced successful weight loss. Such things as Guarana, St. John’s Wart, Senna, Pyruvate, Chitosan, Green Tea Extract, Soy Protein, Nettle, Dandelion, and Cayenne are all recommended by some. Again, there are some serious potential side effects with a few of these, so proceed with caution and do you homework.
You have your list. Be patient, try the ones you think are appropriate for you, and get some support for your efforts. Having others who encourage you, praise your efforts, and celebrate even your small successes will go a long way in maintaining the motivation you will need.
Learn also how to lose weight with hoodia.
Each individual must discover the causes of his/her overweight condition and then establish an individual plan to resolve those causes. Once the causes are in check, the chances of success in any weight loss program truly increase.
Methods of weight loss may include one or more of the following. Again, remember that works for your best friend may not work for you – you have to explore, investigate, and experiment to find what you can live with.
1. Exercise. Exercise increases metabolism and burns calories. When you burn more calories than you take in, you lose weight – it’s that simple. If you can’t jump into aerobic activity right away, start walking, increasing pace and distance, move on to jogging, to running, and, finally, to aerobics. This plan will result in slower weight loss in the beginning but has the potential to be a lifetime cure if you can become accustomed to it regularly. Most people who develop a daily exercise routine find that they crave it.
2. Food. The source of all of the problems in the first place! People are overweight because they take in more calories than they use. Whatever the cause, physical or emotional, food intake has to be reduced. Many people have success with significant decreases in fat or carbohydrates or sugar. Choose one of these, and try it. If you love pastas and breads, lower your fat intake to less than 20 grams a day. If you have to have the fat, get rid of the pastas and breads. Or, if you can live without sugar, give up all sweets. Some foods have all three, so be careful. If you count grams (located on all food labels), you can reduce your intake of any one of these things.
3. High fiber foods: Many claim that high fiber foods assist with metabolism and elimination of what your body does not need to survive. A lot of people have lost weight this way, so don’t discount it until you try it.
4. Weight Loss Products: The drug stores are filled with diet pills, powders, drinks, snack bars, etc. You can try these and see if your appetite is curbed or if any of them give you more energy so that you burn more calories. Be careful of the products, however, because some have strong stimulants and have been factors in other medical problems.
5. Surgery: There are two forms of surgery currently in use – gastric bypass and banding. Gastric bypass is major stomach surgery and should not be undertaken without counseling and investigation. Banding is a less invasive procedure without the lengthy recovery time of bypass, however, the band can be stretched and adjustments may be required. Both of these procedures involve significant dietary changes, so be certain you are willing to abide by the post-surgery regimens.
6. Herbal Supplements: There are a variety of herbal ingredients with which some have experienced successful weight loss. Such things as Guarana, St. John’s Wart, Senna, Pyruvate, Chitosan, Green Tea Extract, Soy Protein, Nettle, Dandelion, and Cayenne are all recommended by some. Again, there are some serious potential side effects with a few of these, so proceed with caution and do you homework.
You have your list. Be patient, try the ones you think are appropriate for you, and get some support for your efforts. Having others who encourage you, praise your efforts, and celebrate even your small successes will go a long way in maintaining the motivation you will need.
Learn also how to lose weight with hoodia.
Print
Email
