Is permanent weight loss possible? Absolutely! But you aren’t going to find weight loss success in a strict diet, a bottle of weight loss pills or extreme calorie restriction. These temporary solutions simply don't work. Long term weight loss and maintainance requires a change in your habits and attitude.
Get thin quick schemes are a dime a dozen. They are usually costly plans that promise fast weight loss. They work too – temporarily. The problem with fast weight loss plans is they are not long-term solutions to losing weight and keeping it off. Strict food plans actually promote yoyo dieting, which can cause health risks and deter you from your weight loss goals.
To achieve permanent weight loss and avoid yoyo dieting, you need to understand the difference between a diet and a lifestyle change.
Why Dieting Doesn't Work
A diet is usually defined by a specific length of time, such as six weeks. A diet is restrictive and you can become obsessive about counting calories and tracking your progress on the scale. Diets involve taking over-the-counter drugs, restricting calories, avoiding specific food groups, etc. Diets are difficult to stick to and dieters feel guilty when they “cheat.” Additionally, dieters fail 95% of the time and regain any weight they initially lost. Its hard to excluse food groups over a long period of time.
How Lifesytle Changes Work
A lifestyle change, on the other hand, is the idea of making healthier choices one decision at a time for the rest of your life. There’s no need to avoid certain food groups or feel guilty about eating a cookie. The key to managing a lifestyle change is to eat everything in moderation. Make healthy eating choices whenever possible and limit yourself to a few bites of foods you can’t resist.
Making a lifestyle change also means including daily physical activities. This should include intentional exercise as well as generally being more active throughout the day. You don’t have to spend hours a day at the gym to achieve permanent weight loss. A 30-minute walk along with some strength training a few days a week is all you really need to do. More importantly, make exercise fun so you'll stick to it. If you dread working out, you are less likely to keep doing it.
You should feel good about your lifestyle changes and enjoy feeling more energetic while losing weight slowly and permanently without ever having to diet again.
The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Tracy Rose - Tracy Rose is a powerflifter who holds the state record in deadlifting and has had success in her own weight loss journey.
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