Losing weight, excess belly fat, abdominal fat, and fat stored in any part of the body is going to have an impact on future health and overall wellness. Many claims are made out there for programs or diets that practically guarantee weight loss. Some of these so-called programs or diets may indeed help with weight loss, but may also exact a heavy toll on one's health. Yes, it's important to lose weight, but at what cost?
It's time to start being honest about all this weight loss stuff. Realize that some people will do or say anything to sell a product that will guarantee weight loss success.The simple fact is, weight loss is going to require considerable commitment, energy, effort, perseverance, and time in order to be successful. Be cautious about giving too much credence to programs or diets that promise too much and deliver little. Be especially cautious about programs or diets that may place one's health at risk. So, with that being said, here are the top three tips for successful, long-term, healthy weight loss.
Water and Losing Weight
Simply, drinking more water will help in attaining healthy weight loss. More water in the body means that the liver has to do less to remove impurities in the body because the kidneys are now getting plenty of water to function. That's critical because the liver is where a lot of fat is metabolized. If there is a shortage of water, the liver has to take up the slack for the kidneys, which means it is less effective in metabolizing fat. More water means more metabolized fat burned and less fat stored, and that leads to more weight loss.
Water flushes the body of impurities as well as tones skin and muscle. When first beginning to drink a lot of water each day, it seems there are endless trips to the restroom. It's as if the water's coming out as quickly as it's going in. This is normal and will get better after a short while. The body has been in survival mode and has been storing water because it thinks there was a shortage. Now that water is plentiful, the body is simply flushing out the water it had been storing, according to www.shapeupshop.com, "Drinking Water and Weight Loss," (accessed Feb 22, 2010).
Exercise and Weight Loss
Yes, losing weight means establishing a regular exercise regimen. According to www.factsaboutfitness.com, "Belly Fat and How To Beat It," (accessed Mar 11, 2010), test subjects in a study conducted by the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism lost more weight by eating a diet high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and included regular resistance and cardiovascular interval training six days a week. This group lost two times more abdominal fat than others in the same study who exercised less and followed the nutritional guidelines set out by the FDA's food pyramid.
Healthy, long-term weight loss means working out on a regular basis. Exercise also has the added benefits of increasing strength, toning the body, and increasing overall well being. Begin an exercise regimen in stages. Start some exercises next week, add more the next, and so on. It's all just a matter of deciding to do it and sticking to the program. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends a weekly exercise regimen of two hours and 30 minutes of moderate exercise, one hour and 15 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, along with weight training.
Lose Weight With a Healthy, Raw Food Diet
It's time to start thinking about the foods put into one's body. Food is fuel for the body and only the best fuel should be used to create the energy necessary for losing weight and maintaining health. Raw foods are some of the best fuel that can be put into the body because they contain enzymes not found in cooked or processed foods. These enzymes help to digest food more efficiently and are responsible for every chemical reaction that occurs in the human body. All the nutrients, minerals, herbs, vitamins, and hormones could not do what they need to do without these enzymes.
So, if weight loss is the desired goal, raw foods must be a large part of any diet. Raw fruits, vegetables, and whole grains make up the bulk of a raw food diet. Nuts, seeds, beans, legumes, dried fruit, seaweed, unprocessed organic foods, freshly juiced fruits and vegetables should be combined with low fat, lean meats as well. Well balanced, nutritious, portion-controlled meals are going to be the gateway to a healthy future.
Make the Decision to Start Today
If there's a bit of excess weight in some places where it should not be, don't despair. It is possible to lose that weight rather quickly. Concentrate on some honest self-assessment and then set some realistic goals for weight loss and exercise. Begin in stages and start changing the diet this week, while starting some exercises next week, add more the next, and so on. It's all just a matter of making a commitment and sticking to the program. Soon, the excess weight will start coming off, the risk of disease goes down, and that excess weight begins to disappear.
As with any radical changes in diet or exercise, always consult a health care professional, nutritionist, or doctor before starting any diet, exercise, or weight loss plan. This article is for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is of a general nature and should not be substituted as advice from a qualified professional.
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Sources:
www.rawfoodlife.com; The Case For a Raw Food Diet (accessed Mar 11, 2010)
www.rawfoodlife.com; Your Enzymes and Your Weight (accessed Mar 11, 2010)
www.health.gov; 2008 physical activity guidelines for Americans. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (accessed Mar 11, 2010)
Mark Oehlert - Mark has 50 years life experience (wisdom comes with age, right?) and over 28 years experience writing copy for ads, articles, marketing ...
