Hello Everybody,
Christmas is over, 2012 is here and many of us have proved that being overweight is not the result of bad genes or big bones. It is the result of sitting around eating too much. An excellent New Year’s resolution is to lose weight, and as resolutions seldom last long, a fast weight loss program is a good way to begin. You will see results and be encouraged to make the lifestyle change which is the only way of maintaining your weight loss over time.
For a many years we have been told fast weight loss programs are often dangerous and do not work long term. This is true but research is now showing that if you use the right program for a short time it can help you start an effective long term weight loss diet. George Blackman, associate director of nutrition at Harvard Medical School says that most people who lose weight only maintain 5-15 percent of their loss. They do better if they get down to the weight they desire and then try to maintain it.
What is the best way of losing weight fast? There are many fast weight loss programs that work. Have a look and see if there is one for you. Do avoid obvious fad diets with extravagant claims, and look very hard at the latest promoted celebrity diet before you try it and regret it. The sort of thing which is worth a try is the diet proposed by Blogger Tim Ferris.
This is a shortened version which you can follow for three or four weeks.
Avoid ‘white’ carbohydrates: That is white bread, rice, cereal, potatoes, pasta, fried food with breading or anything else white.
Repeat just a few different meals: Cook using one of the ingredients from each of the following groups in every meal.
Proteins.:
Egg whites with one whole egg for flavour.
Chicken breast or thigh.
Grass-fed organic beef.
Pork.
Legumes:
Lentils.
Black beans.
Pinto beans.
Vegetables:
Spinach.
Asparagus.
Peas.
Mixed vegetables.
Eat as much as you like of these food items. Just stick to three or four meals you like and repeat them in whatever order you prefer.
Drink Water and low calorie drinks: Drink a lot of water. You can also have iced tea, tea, diet sodas, black coffee. Do not drink milk, normal soft or fizzy drinks or fruit juice.
Take one day off a week: Tim Ferris recommends that you take one day off a week and eat what you want. He has good reasons for this and in principal it is a good idea. I would suggest you don’t spend an afternoon working through a fast food menu. Eat what you like in moderation and you will be fine.
The Tim Ferris diet is one of the fast weight loss programs that work. It is sensible and can have dramatic results. But be aware that Tim also exercises – he exercises a lot. It is important that you too have as much exercise as you can manage. Try brisk walking or any other exercise you enjoy for one hour each day. Spend half an hour morning and half an hour evening if it is easier for you. This can be a big commitment but remember to lose weight quickly you need only do it for three or four weeks.
So we are back to the findings of Harvard Medical School. Drop your weight fast with the Tim Ferris diet or another diet you enjoy. Then carry on with a safe long term lifestyle changing diet like Weight Watchers or the Mediterranean diet. These still need some exercise for best results, but half an hour a day should be enough. Then you will see results and best of all maintain them for as long as you want.
See you soon,
Peter Stockwell
6 January 2012
Photo. Hampshire Hippy (Flickr)
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