It is a fallacy that “all diets work” and that the only problem 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 seasoned dieter I have tried many weight loss programs that just didn’t work. I would follow the program rigorously but the scale would not budge. On some of these diets, I could follow perfectly for months at a time and never lose a pound.
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 programmed to hold onto the fat. In the rare event of a famine our bodies are programmed not only to make sure we stay alive but also to keep any babies that we may be carrying alive. Biologically it is just more challenging for women to lose weight.
But as you go you learn what works for weight loss and what doesn’t. Here are the top five weight loss rules for bodies that are resistant to losing.
The first rule is fairly simple, “Eat”. Yes, eat at least three and even as many as 6 small meals per day. For one thing it keeps you from becoming over hungry, which stops you from gorging and another reason is that it keeps your metabolism going strong. Your body will start to save fat if it believes it’s starving so the first rule is to Eat.
Second is to exchange quality for quantity. Empty calories that provide no decent nutritional value do nothing to fill you up and eating nutritionally empty food is a sure way to pack on the pounds. Cravings are often caused by a deficiency of vital nutrients so it is important to choose high quality, nutritionally dense foods. Stay away from the “white stuff’, meaning white flour and white sugar.
Third, be sure to eat 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 spike your blood sugar 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 value. Complex carbs, such as whole grains and vegetables have fiber, which keeps your digestive system running smoothly and they also provide excellent nutrition.
And the fifth rule is to start moving. Start an exercise program. You can begin small by taking short walks and ease up to more challenging workouts. But exercise is crucial for successful and healthy weight loss. Exercise is beneficial for your heart and your soul. So start an exercise program.
This is a lifetime commitment. Few people with weight problems master it once and never have to think of it again. It is a commitment you make everyday. But if you adhere to these rules for most of the time you will be on your way to a lean body.
