Once a person realizes or comes to believe that he or she has exceeded his or her ideal weight, the usual response is to cut down on food intake. This is based on the assumption that eating less will force the body to expend some of its stored fat, thus helping us to lose weight. The truth is that cutting down on food can have the opposite effect, and losing weight will be more difficult.
This is easier to understand if we remember that evolution is very slow, and that our bodies have adapted to a lifestyle that was most prevalent millions of years ago, when the first biologically modern humans came into being. In those days, it was all people could do just to get enough food to survive. Deliberately decreasing food intake just did not make sense. Therefore, the body “assumes” that when it is suddenly getting fewer calories, this is because you are starving. The wooly mammoths have died out, or something, and so action must be taken to ensure that you survive.
To this end, human bodies have evolved certain processes that are supposed to counteract the effects of (perceived) starvation. Therefore, drastically cutting your regular caloric intake might not make you lose weight.
In fact, experts have contrasted the food intake of fatter individuals with slimmer ones. They found that the difference was not necessarily in the number of calories consumed, but in the fact that the slimmer individuals were more likely to eat complex carbohydrates rather than fatty foods.
It must be understood that real, long-lasting weight loss cannot be rushed. Both basic sound judgment and strict planning and rules are necessary in order to reform your eating habits. However, one of the main complicating factors is the prevalence of erroneous information and advice. Unfortunately, many people who want to diet fall prey to this type of misinformation, forking over their hard-earned money for dieting tools that will not really help them. Some weight loss may take place, giving the illusion of success. However, the pounds usually come back eventually.
A survey was done a short time ago to check which of the most popular diets brought about lasting weight loss. It was found that none of the major commercial programs worked. It is no wonder, then, that the FDA has decided to crack down on a diet industry clotted with quackery.
It is important for health reasons that people attend to their weight. Serious obesity can lead to very grave health problems, even death. Much of the “problem” calories come from saturated fats.
Once again, people approach this problem with the idea that their situation arises from the consumption of too many calories. This is not necessarily true, at least in the United States. In decades past, people tended to consume more calories than present-day Americans do. So why are contemporary Americans fatter than their ancestors? Well, calories are a factor, but as we said, they are not necessarily the most important factor. Exercise is a major consideration, and it is true that the more sedentary modern lifestyle contributes to the prevalence of obesity in America. However, the developments concerning the fat in most people’s food are at least as essential to understanding the problem.
Some people address their weight problems by focusing on dieting alone, and not increasing or changing their regular physical exercise. This is most definitely not the best way to go. Exercise is integral to sustainable weight loss. In fact, if you simply diet and do not exercise, you may eventually increase rather than decrease the fat content of your body. This is because much of the weight you lose in your exercise-less diet consists of water and muscle. If you regain your weight, it is likely to return in the form of fat. It is far better to exercise more, which speeds up your metabolism.
So, how do you choose an exercise routine? Which one is the best? Well, there is no real cut-and-dried answer to those questions. Your choice of exercise will have to take in your resources, fitness level, location, schedule, and other factors in your lifestyle. You must choose an exercise routine that is appropriate for you and the way you live your life. However, walking is a good option for many people. Besides helping you lose weight (and keep the pounds off after you do lose them), you can have better muscle tone and stronger bones. Quite a good deal, for an exercise that requires no special additional equipment.
