Friday, October 31, 2008

Healthy Diet Results in Weight Loss

By Christopher Fitch

Successful weight loss does not happen instantaneously. Over an extended period of time, as you ingest more calories than you burn off, this surplus transforms into fat and can result in outright obesity. Since this process has taken time to develop, it stands to reason that it takes just as much time, if not more, to burn off. To accomplish long-term weight loss, you need to incorporate three necessary factors: a healthy lifestyle, a healthy exercise routine, and most importantly a healthy diet.

A healthy diet supports your immune system. It doesn't mean starving yourself while you track your calorie count and opt for a single can of cola instead of five or six small meals. To that end, it also doesn't mean settling for bland foods that taste like cardboard. What it does mean is matching your calorie needs with your lifestyle and physiological requirements. In other words, your diet will be different than your friend's; and it should be.

The most successful diet plans promote the consumption of anti-oxidants. These work as anti-aging agents and also help to keep the skin youthful by rejuvenating tissue that has been damaged over time. Some vitamins contain these elements and are strongly recommended as part of your overall diet. The same holds true for fiber. Most fruits contain both anti-oxidants and fiber and as such are a vital element to a healthy diet.

The no-carb diet has been proven "wrong." Carbs are an important element to a healthy diet and it is more likely that carbohydrate intake needs to be scaled back (not eliminated altogether). What you need to aim for is matching the amount of carbs to the amount of protein that you take in on a regular basis. Ideally, a marginal preference to protein works best and partially replacing carbs with animal or plant protein seems to work fine. Now, that doesn't mean going nuts with protein; some, like red meats, should be limited or avoided because they contain high fat content (lean meats on the other hand should be a regular component to your diet menu).

Most people overlook dairy intake when planning for a healthy diet and are shocked to find that dairy needs to be restricted. Dairy has a direct link to obesity as a result of high fat content. Now, low-cal yogurt and non-fat cottage cheese are exceptions and can be incorporated into your meal plan. Another alternative would be health shakes or protein shakes, but you should consult the dietary guide before purchasing -- keep carbs low and protein high on these products.

Lastly, a regular exercise routine helps to shed extra fluid in our system. It helps keep the skin hydrated, porous, and healthy, and helps burn the current intake of calories as well as burn stored fat. A vital ingredient to the success of an exercise routine is consistency and... water consumption, eight to ten cups daily. Water works best because it flushes the system without adding calories. Plus, it helps keep the muscles hydrated, meaning less chance of cramping and less likelihood of skipping out on an exercise routine.

As noted here, fasting does not have a place in a healthy diet or weight loss. While it sounds cliche, weight loss really is a change in lifestyle, everything from how exercise to what you eat. It doesn't mean settling for tasteless meals; enjoy healthy foods instead but make sure they match up with your body's calorie requirements. Also, bring others into your exercise routine; if you run into resistance, don't call it exercise, call it an evening stroll or spring cleaning involving moving heavy boxes around. Once it becomes routine, you'll be addicted! - 16004

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