There is no fairy godmother of dieting. All those wonder product that proclaim dieting miracles are unrealistic at best, hoaxes at worst. Two pounds a week is all you can safely lose, any more, and you’re losing muscle, not fat. That said, there is a way to lose weight and keep it off. It is the natural way to weight loss. No miracles, just steady progress.Making changes in how and what you eat, drinking plenty of water, and exercising will get you there in the end. Focus on fitness, and weight loss will follow.

Water: The Key to Dieting Success

Most Americans don’t drink nearly enough water. Everyone should drink at least eight, preferably ten, eight ounce glasses a day. When you’re on a diet, this is especially important.

Water keeps you feeling full without adding calories. Since feeling hungry is one of the main complaints of dieters, drinking water can help you avoid that discomfort. Often, it is impossible to distinguish between a feeling of thirst and one of hunger. Next time you feel hungry, instead of immediately reaching for food, drink a glass of water. If you’re still feeling hungry after that, go ahead and eat something.

Water can also play an important role in helping you detoxify your body. In modern society, we are exposed to environmental toxins on a daily basis. Agricultural pesticides, pollution, chemicals in flooring, paints, cosmetics, and personal care products, prescription medications, and artificial hormones and antibiotics found in animal produce can all contribute to making the body toxic.

When the body is toxic, various systems, metabolism included, become less effective. Detoxifying the body can improve nutrient absorption, increase metabolism, and balance hormones. While there are special detoxifying diets, and these can often be very beneficial, simply drinking enough water can make a big difference. Water flushes the accumulated muck of environmental pollutants out of the body and promotes better overall health.

Eating Healthy and Natural Foods

The next step in any dieting plan is, of course, changing what you eat. In order to achieve sustainable weight loss, you need to make sure that your “diet” is actually a change in eating patterns that you can stick with for years to come. That means: don’t throw out any one food group, don’t try to severely restrict calories, and don’t deny yourself your favorite foods. For example, if your favorite food happens to be chocolate, look for a way to incorporate it into your diet (in small quantities, of course).

Replace white grains with whole grains whenever possible, eat more fruits and vegetables, stick to lean meat, poultry and fish. Eat good fats such as from olive oil, nuts, or fatty fish, while trying to eliminate unhealthy trans fats and reduce saturated fats. Don’t make any hard and fast rules. Instead, try to change your eating trends, the way you eat rather than specific foods.

Maintaining Blood Sugar

Maintaining a good blood sugar level will help you feel satisfied for longer. In order to achieve this, eat many small, well-balanced meals throughout the day. Avoid foods with a high glycemic index that elevate your blood sugar abruptly and leave you to crash equally suddenly. No processed sugar, potatoes, white grains, etc. Instead, opt for a balance of complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that will be gradually digested and released into the blood stream over the course of hours.

Exercising

Exercise is an important part of any weight loss/maintenance program. Exercise burns calories (ultimately fat) and builds muscle. Muscle is far more energy intensive for the body to maintain than fat, so you will continue to use calories even while you rest.

Find an exercise that you enjoy, whether it be biking, walking, dancing, or playing a sport, and then do it on a regular basis. Just a few hours a week can make a big difference to your weight loss efforts and overall health.

Sticking with It

While none of the recommendations outlined here are unrealistic or impossible, it can still be difficult to stick with a natural weight loss program. Try to find ways to make it interesting and fun. Experiment with foods you’se never used before. Take the opportunity to learn about a new sport or activity. Make friends with others who are working on their weight. Get your friends and family involved in your efforts, having their support and encouragement can be invaluable. Allow yourself a treat every now and then.

And remember, if you focus on the health and fitness benefits, it’s easier to stay motivated, and the pounds will come off with time.

Get a jump start on your personal weight loss program today.

Sources:
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/what-are-your-choices-for-a-natural-healthy-weight-loss-diet.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss
http://www.womentowomen.com/nutritionandweightloss/naturalweightloss.aspx