Getting Started With Losing Weight

By Russ Howe


As a fitness instructor I am often asked about how to lose weight as fast as possible. Usually this question arrives from women looking to drop a dress size for an important event or wedding, and quite often their need for a 'gimmick' and their lack of interest in anything which isn't going to provide overnight success is what prevents them from reaching their goal. We know people who have literally spent two years trying to lose weight instantly.

Here are a few very basic and easy to follow rules which will help anybody to drop some unwanted poundage from their waistline.

* Okay first of all if you are trying to cut weight you need to consume less calories than you do now. Sounds simple, right? That's the basic rule. If you're not sure how many calories you currently eat per day keep a food diary for the next two days and develop an average between the two days consumption.

* Protein is great for weight loss, that's a fact. If you snack throughout your day time then you need to stock up on protein rich foods. These come in the shape of fish, chicken, protein shakes and a whole ton of other options. The fact is when you eat protein you store way less fat than when you consume carbohydrates or fatty foods. Use that to your, and your hunger's, advantage.

* Third we look at convenience snacks. Most people fall off the 'wagon' when they are at work without food and can see the vending machine in all it's glory staring them down all day. Take some small tubs to work, pack them with a healthy protein rich snack and you will be amazed how much weight this will take off you over the course of a couple of weeks.

* Rule number four is simple yet so many people get this wrong it's unbelievable. How many women do you know who have cut down on carbs in order to lose weight? Probably tons. And why do they always hit a brick wall and find it impossible to lose weight just a couple of weeks in? Because they do not increase their protein intake as they drop carbs. You must do this, otherwise your body resorts to burning muscle and keeping fat.

* Finally we discuss the benefits of having a day off. Regardless of whether you need one or would simply like one, the benefits of taking a day off your diet at the end of each week far outweigh the downsides.

First of all your body will react well to suddenly having a completely different day in its schedule. You will also end the risk that if you ever need to eat junk food your body won't start reacting negatively because you have avoided it for years.

The fact is that day off gives you something to aim for during a tough week, too. If you are new to weight loss and are struggling to get through a difficult, testing week sometimes just having that light at the end of the tunnel to look forward to is more than enough to help you stay on track to reach your goals.

Nobody we ever meet in the gym says they want to lose weight without following it up with the fact that they also want the weight to stay off forever. We've all known a yo-yo dieter and the terrible things they do to their body every three months or so is definitely not something most people want to follow. These steps will help you not only to lose the initial weight you're after, but they will also ensure it stays off for good.




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