Pound Per Pound

Answer 1

"If it goes through the lips, it ends up on the hips," or "weight control depends on self-control," , and finally " the more you eat, the more you weigh, �are all aptly stated and proven to be valid regarding weight loss. Despite the prevalence of diet pills, expensive weight loss programs, and learned or self-proclaimed weight loss authorities, the combination or key to weight loss is a rather simple solution. It is dependent upon using or expending more calories than the number of calories consumed. Simply stated, "the more calories you use, the more weight you lose." This can be achieved by decreasing caloric intake, increasing energy output, increasing metabolism, and utilizing self-control.

Weight loss is simply mind over matter that requires making judicious food and life choices, and recognizing the importance and significance of the purpose of eating. Food is consumed in order to provide nourishment and the required energy for the body systems to function properly. Although eating is pleasurable, it�s purpose is not to be regarded as a favorite leisure activity or pastime.

First, facilitating weight loss can be realized by monitoring caloric intake. In order to lose weight, an individual must either use more calories than they consume or consume fewer calories than they use. Additionally, the person must make sagacious food choices based on their weight, body type, and activity level. For example, a woman that weighs 140 lbs. with a normal metabolism should consume approximately 1,800 calories daily in order to maintain her weight. If she wishes to lose 10 pounds, she must either use or consume 35,000 calories less over the desired time period. Exercise, which increases the metabolism, will expedite her weight loss.

Secondly, without a doubt, food choices play a critical role in weight loss. For example, fats are more difficult to metabolize than lettuce, for instance. Often dieters, in an attempt to expedite weight loss severely restrict or limit caloric intake to less than 1,200 calories daily, which the body regards as starvation and starts to "store" calories as fat rather than expend calories. Additionally, it has been scientifically established that it is more difficult for women do lose weight than men because of hormonal differences and physiological differences, such as the male typically has more muscle tissue which utilizes more calories than fat.

Unequivocally satiety plays a role in weight loss, which simply translated means high calorie foods must be eaten in smaller portions than lower calorie foods; you get more for less. For example, if that 140 lb. woman selected a baked potato stuffed with sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, a 12oz. t-bone steak, roll, Caesar salad and New York cheesecake, she would consume over 8,000 calories. However if she chose a garden salad , low fat dressing, a small baked potato with a pat of butter, low fat sour cream, a broiled 4 oz. tilapia filet, steamed vegetables, fresh fruit , she would only consume approximately 800 calories. In order to utilize or rationalize the first meal without gaining weight, it would require more than eight+ hours of strenuous exercise. However, with the second selection, she would not gain weight if she added 45 minutes of walking to her daily routine she would expend an additional 500 calories and would lose weight.

Weight loss is enhanced and expedited by drinking 8-10 eight ounce glasses of water daily. Drinking a glass of water before a meal, during the meal, and betweens meals hydrates the body and results in the individual consuming less food and reaching satiety level quicker. Often what is perceived as hunger is actually thirst that can be satisfied with a �zero �calorie glass of water with perhaps a slice of lime, which makes it a treat or special? Additionally, adding a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar with a tablespoon of honey in a full glass of water and drinking it before a meal is beneficial has been proven to speed weight loss.

Another tip: eating a small bowl of low calorie soup or a piece of fruit, such as half an apple with a teaspoon of peanut butter as a snack or before a meal will make the dieter feel full or satisfied on less food as it increases satiety. It is recommended to dice an apple with a handful of raisin, walnuts, and almonds, and soak the mixture in water until the raisins plump. In the mornings, eat a handful of this mixture and throughout the day with a glass of water when hunger pangs strike. It will make the person feel full on less food for a longer period of time, as it is rich in vitamins, minerals, healthy fats that is easily converted into energy and not stored as fat.

Finally, successful weight loss demands or requires self-control, portion control, and consistent exercise. For example, self-control will motivate the dieter to choose an apple over a piece of cheesecake, broiled fish over chicken fried steak, or a plain small baked potato over French fries and ketchup, and walking for 30 minutes three times a week, which will save more than 500 calories each and result in weight loss. The old adage, everything that is good to you is not necessarily good for you is sage wisdom when making food choices and attempting to lose weight.