A Weightloss and diet forum. WeightLossBanter

If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.

Go Back   Home » WeightLossBanter forum » alt.support.diet newsgroups » General Discussion
Site Map Home Authors List Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read Web Partners

Weight loss may mean a combination of strategies



 
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old February 24th, 2005, 02:59 PM
reenum
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default Weight loss may mean a combination of strategies

Weight loss may mean a combination of strategies

By Pamela Stuppy



Do you have just a few pounds you feel you need to lose or a more
significant number of inches around your waist that you would like to
shed? There are numerous weight-loss plans out there, each trying to
convince you that their plan for weight loss is the best.
How do you decide what plan of action to take?

Everyone is different when it comes to what works and what doesn't
relative to weight loss. Maybe you have tried different diets over the
past few years, but none seems to lead to long-term weight loss. What
works for your best friend may not be right for you. For many people,
there are parts of diet plans that are helpful and other parts that are
not. Use this information to create a plan of action that fits your
personality and lifestyle.

Are you the kind of person that needs accountability? If so, keeping a
food record that includes the timing and amounts of food can help. In
fact, in studies of people who are successful with long-term weight
loss, this was a common practice. What can you learn from these records
to fine-tune your eating?

Accountability can also come from diet programs where you are part of a
group or have a partner. This means you feel as if you have to succeed
in order to not let others down or to not feel embarrassed if you do
not stick to the weight-loss plan. There are also online programs that
work for some people.

Some people feel that they are too busy or do not want to be bothered
with planning meals so they choose a plan that includes prepared
foods/meals. These can indeed be easy to follow and may teach a dieter
better portion control. If you do not plan to purchase such meals for
the rest of your life, however, at some point you need to make
lifestyle changes that allow you to learn to live with foods generally
available. Think of purchased prepared meals as a temporary crutch to
move you into planning and preparing your own meals that contain
healthy foods in appropriate portion sizes.

Watch out for plans that do not include a wide variety of healthy
foods. Those that limit foods groups are often low in essential
nutrients. Meal plans that lean on meal replacements may not contain
adequate nutrients. Don't think that vitamin/mineral supplements will
give your body all that it needs. Healthy foods will do a much better
job at keeping you optimally healthy. Even spending relatively short
periods of time on imbalanced diets can open the door to short- and
long-term illness. They often result in lower energy levels as well,
which can counter your goal to exercise. Low energy and mood changes
can also result from a diet too low in calories.

Consider your real goal - healthy, long-term weight control. Your
current weight has probably been a result of lifestyle habits. Until
you gradually change these behaviors, the weight will continue to be a
problem. People who are successful with long-term weight loss and
maintenance have several things in common.

First, they did not attempt rapid weight loss. About a pound and a half
to two pounds is about all the body fat you can lose in a week. When
pounds come off too quickly, it means you are losing muscle, even if
you are working out. Since muscle is the part of your body that burns
calories, it is logical that fast weight loss often results in
difficulty maintaining lost weight. Set realistic goals for yourself so
that you can feel like a success, not a failure.

Success also comes from goals that include both control of food
consumption and exercise, not just one or the other. Making slow,
gradual, permanent lifestyle changes also shows positive results.
Exercise should be what you enjoy doing or it won't continue. As
possible, gradually increase the amount of exercise. Maybe spread it
out over several times a day.

Learn to live with food, not without it. A pattern of three meals with
preplanned healthy snacks between can provide needed nutrients and
energy throughout the day. Skipping meals actually works against you -
it can lower your metabolism, cause hunger, low energy, and a tendency
to overeat and make less healthy foods choices at the next meal. It
does not take any more time to grab a healthy snack than a less-healthy
one.

Watch portion sizes! Stick to foods that fit into the five healthy food
groups, are less processed, and are not high in sugar or fat. When
considering "extras" that do not fit these criteria, make decisions
about the frequency and portion sizes of these foods in your week.
Often trying to eliminate them entirely causes you to want them more.

Think vegetables! These are full of great nutrients but low in
calories. Also choose foods high in fiber (whole grains, nuts, seeds,
beans, fruits and vegetables). Do not consume excessive amounts of
protein, but spread what you need throughout the day to help with
feelings of fullness.

Working with a registered dietitian can help you individualize your
weight loss plan while keeping needed nutrients in mind.

Many people have added pounds due to emotional eating. Just going on a
diet plan will not solve this type of weight problem. Instead, work to
resolve the underlying emotional issues. Seek help from friends or a
professional if you think it would be helpful.

 




Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Answers to common weight loss questions reenum General Discussion 5 January 29th, 2005 11:27 PM
weight loss Jan Jensen Weightwatchers 0 January 19th, 2005 12:00 PM
Adherene to, not type of diet important for fat loss ( 4 popular diets compared ) [email protected] Low Carbohydrate Diets 5 January 5th, 2005 07:57 PM
Induction and weight lifting? Comments plz Slider Low Carbohydrate Diets 9 June 18th, 2004 06:29 AM
Study credits Weight Watchers with helping many to keep weight off Neutron General Discussion 4 May 30th, 2004 03:46 PM


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 07:12 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004-2024 WeightLossBanter.
The comments are property of their posters.