Monday, July 13, 2009

Weight Loss Can Be Easy

By Marcus Werthen

Losing weight is difficult for most people, but the reality is that losing weight isnt as difficult as we might think. Recent studies have shown that it doesnt matter what diet you follow or even how much exercise you do. The bottom line is what matters is how much you eat, or how many calories you take in.

While most dieters are at least partly guilty of falling for a variety of diet plans (the grapefruit plan, food combining plans, and low carb diets, for example), science is discovering what our bodies have known for a long time. That is, its not what you eat, or how you combine that food, or what time you eat, but rather how much you eat. Your weight loss success is completely dependent on how many calories you eat (or cut).

New studies have shown that calories are all that are really need to be counted in order to lose weight. You can still follow a plan and you can still visit the weight loss center, but whats really important is that the calories are reduced. Thats what will lead to weight loss. Once they understand the importance of calories, many dieters still visit the weight loss center, or even follow the low carb plan, but they focus as much on counting calories as anything else.

But many of us can create our own diets, based on the nutritional guidance we get from books or magazines. We might consult a dietitian, and create our own diet based on our eating preferences and needs. But there are some important considerations to make.

Its important when you count calories that you make each bite count. That is, each bite should include important nutrients. Because calories are restricted, there are fewer opportunities to get good nutrients in with the reduced calorie intake. The solution, then, is to ensure that each bite, that each meal, contains essential nutrients. Make sure theres a good balance of vital vitamins, minerals, protein, calcium and fiber.

Wherever you get your meal plans and ideas for low calorie menus, its important that you count calories formally. That is, figure out which method works best for you and count each calorie you ingest. Everything that goes into your mouth should be recorded. You might use an electronic device, or you might simply carry a notebook around with you. You might purchase a journal thats designed for counting calories. Whatever you choose, be religious about it, and record everything. Experts say this is the clearest and surest path to weight loss.

The new thinking these days is that there are two essential components to successful weight loss " counting calories and writing down what you eat. While these things cant take the place of basic determination, desire and discipline, they can do much toward keeping you on the straight and narrow path toward your weight loss goals.

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