Diets Are Cruel Punishment

Millions of people are still struggling with the outdated and obsolete model of weight/fat loss and the reason why 95% of them fail to lose weight permanently is that they are working against their bodies rather than with them. Some $30 billion is spent on weight loss diets and products in the US alone each year and many people are making a lot of money out of continuing to keep alive the scam that dieting works.

The way we have been going about it is a no win situation as our genes are programmed from thousands of years of ancient cycles of adequate food supply and famine. Our bodies have had to adapt to these cycles as a method of survival. When we restrict food below a certain level we trigger these ancient mechanisms that enabled our ancestors to survive the harshest of conditions that we today could never ever begin to comprehend.

The main reason we fail with diets is because we drop the calorie level way too low. The World Health Organization states that any diet below 1800 calories for women and 2400 for men is a starvation diet. Yet most diets are way below this level and millions of people are continuing to try and push their body into giving up its fat stores by starving themselves.

It may work for a few short weeks until the chemistry of the body puts the brakes on and lowers the metabolic rate by as much as 400 calories per day. Along with the lowered energy levels the body increases the appetite complete with urgent food cravings to try and make you eat the food that it needs to stay alive. You now have a recipe for damage to your health along with cruel punishment to your soul.

When you give up in frustration and go back to 'normal' eating you are in even bigger trouble as you are now in for some rapid weight gain as the lowered metabolic rate allows any weight lost to be replaced as quickly as possible. And even more fat is stored than you had before in anticipation of the next 'famine'.

To really lose excess weight you will need to get your head around the fact that you need to increase your metabolism and energy levels and burn the fat off, not try and starve it off in a futile endeavor. The main way to give your fat burning machinery ? your muscle tissue ? is to get started on a strength training program to rebuild lost muscle and to tone and firm this highly active tissue that is your number one friend in the fat loss game.

The more you have of this precious tissue the more calories you will burn at rest or during your exercise sessions. This is the opposite of what happens on a diet which costs you muscle tissue as the body sheds it in an attempt to drop the metabolism to conserve fuel. Any wonder your metabolic engine sputters and comes to a stand still.

Forget the outdated notion that long, slow repetitive activities such as walking, jogging, and cycling will help you get a strong, lean body. They will not help you speed up your metabolism permanently and that is what you need to do to get the fat off. Save them for part of your active lifestyle but never replace your proper exercise program with them.

The other piece of the fat loss puzzle is 5-7 small meals with at least 20 grams of protein as the main event in each meal. Add raw and cooked vegetables and you have an eating plan that will work with your body stimulating your metabolism rather than slowing it down. Start your calorie intake above the starvation level of 1800 for women and 2400 for men.

This new way is actually how you should be eating permanently if you wish to avoid becoming overweight and should end up as part of your new lifestyle. Along with your strength training program you have the tools you need to get into the very best shape of your life. The sooner you get started on this simple plan the quicker you will achieve your weight/fat/fitness goals.