Weight Loss Information

If you're worried about your weight, then 'weight loss information' is probably a term you've used when searching on the Internet.

And you'll now know for sure that there's a lot of it out there!

In fact, I'm prepared to bet that you're a little confused by what you've seen and read, especially since so much of it is contradictory.

Why So Much Weight Loss Information?

One short answer to that one - it's big business. It costs money to become overweight, and those weight loss companies out there think it should cost you quite a bit to reverse the process. Well, they would, wouldn't they?

There's 'this' diet and 'that' program. You can subscribe to weight loss information websites, sign up for a month's worth of prescribed diet meals, even order them for home delivery!

So, what's the deal? Why so many approaches to what should be a simple business? Partly, it's because human beings are so varied in their needs and desires, not to mention how differently we may react to the same stimuli.

You probably came across the simple approach too. You know: it's about calories in versus calories out, and that's all there is to it. Of course, such a simple equation completely ignores the human factor in the mix.

If we were all just machines, then energy in and energy out would be the same with a bit lost due to inefficiency. But machines don't come under the influence of emotions and the stresses that they can introduce into human life.

So, it is quite obvious that such over-simple weight loss information will only work for people who think(?) and act like machines... take a bow, Terminator.

Meanwhile, back on planet Earth, is there a middle way between to the too-simple approach and the can't-eat-this, must-eat-that kind of dogma that seems to make up much of the advice available on the Internet?

And, most importantly, what will work for YOU?

Because we are all so different, it makes sense that you need an approach to weight loss that's customised to you, your life circumstances and your needs.

Which is why what worked for Oprah may not be the ideal program for you. Apart from any genetic differences, think about the gulf between her lifestyle and yours. After all, how much can you afford to pay your own personal fitness trainer?

Weight Loss Information Newsflash

It's okay to be different. So long as you can stick to what's right for you, successful weight loss is possible.

But, what does 'customize' mean, in weight loss terms?

Well, it means not listening when your friend who just lost a few pounds says to eat only 1200 calories a day, or eat nothing and drink only mango juice, or whatever. You don't have the same relationship problems as your friend, so why rely on the same weight loss approach?

Weight Loss Information - Metabolism

That's a word you'll encounter often when you search for weight loss information. Learn more about it - it's important. Depending on a number of factors such as your age, gender, height, weight and recent levels of activity, your metabolism may be normal or depressed (that is, low).

Which means your body doesn't burn as much fat as it could.

If you've been on a number of severe diets where calories were over-restricted, you may have reduced your metabolism to a state where you simply don't lose fat any more. The good news is that this condition is usually reversible, providing you're not planning another crazy bout of starving yourself!

One way to kick-start this process is to eat more often. I know, that sounds like heresy in a weight-loss context, but think about this... It takes energy to digest food, so if you eat less at each sitting, but eat more often, then your body is asked to work more often. Plus, you won't feel bagged, or sleepy, so you're likelier to stay active, thus burning yet more calories.

Such behaviour, over time, burns off more of those pounds you want to shed.

Weight Loss Information - Calories In

How do you go about estimating how many calories you should be eating daily? (And believe me, estimating is much much better than just guessing or eating what someone else did when losing weight).

You'll find various websites that offer calculators that will tell you how many calories to eat, once you input the information they need to do the math. Unfortunately, many of them are vague when it comes to how many calories you burn from exercising. On the other hand, some are too complicated, and expect you to compute each and every activity you do throughout the day!

That's not too bad if your days are all identical... but nonsense if you live a typical, changeable, stressed-out 21st-century life!

So what's the alternative?

Let's assume you have decided on how much exercise you intend to take each week. You simply average that out per day, and see how much exercise it would be.

If your lifestyle is extremely sedentary and you don't intend to change, then allow 9 calories for each pound of body weight.

If you think you'll go for a brisk walk (60 minutes) or do a gym workout (45 minutes) around 3 times a week, allow 11 calories per pound of body weight.

If you intend to expend some energy exercising 6 times or more per week, then allow 13 calories per pound of body weight.

Providing you keep to your exercise plan, that should enable you to lose between 0.5 to 1.0 pound of fat from your body each week. If you would like to lose a little more, then subtract one calorie per body pound.

But don't go crazy and opt for 9 calories per pound if you are also going to exercise yourself into the ground! That way, you'll just burn off some muscle - and you really don't want to do that.

More Weight Loss Information

If you'd like to learn more about a sensible and safe approach to weight loss, please read the weight loss articles here.

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