Most people could stand to drop a few pounds of fat. With so many different ways to shed pounds, how does one know the right way? Well, here are a few ways that you should NOT try to lose weight.
The first thing I’ll be talking about is a little fruit from South America, the Acai berry. A lot of people try to tout this berry as some miracle weight loss food, but they’re just trying to make a buck. This fruit simply does not have negative calories, and it doesn’t over-rev your metabolism (it’s just a fruit).
The “liquid diet” consists of consuming nothing but liquids for a few days. While you may consume fewer calories this way, you don’t get all of the nutrients your body needs to function properly. This type of diet is reserved for those who have recently had jaw, throat, or intestinal surgery, not for those looking for weight loss.
For some reason, many people think that switching from soda to a healthy orange or apple juice will help them lose weight. Weight loss comes from reduced calories, and fruit juice is not considered a reduced calorie food. When thinking about what you’ll be drinking, stick with water and lowfat milk.
When choosing between exercise and dieting as a single method of losing fat, choosing exercise is not the best way to go. Choosing a reduced-calorie diet is the better choice, as it is simply easier to lose weight that way. Also, people who are exercising tend to eat more without realizing it, or they eat more because they think they can get away with it.
A reduced-calorie diet coupled with a sensible exercise plan is the best solution for fat loss. This ensures that you lose fat, and not both fat and muscle. Dieting, by itself, tells your body to get rid of both fat and muscle (which is not usually the best thing to do).
TV, magazines, and the internet are full of advertisements showcasing a fit model using some sort of exercise machine. Before you go that route, get into a regular (equipment-free) workout. If you can work out regularly for over a month, then you may consider spending those big bucks on that equipment.
Of course, before starting any new exercise program, make sure that you are mentally and physically prepared (see a doctor). Set realistic goals and don’t be afraid to seek help. Coming up with a plan goes a long way in helping you reduce your calories and increase your physical activity. Good luck!
David Stevens writes advice on weight loss using diet and bodyweight exercises.
