Losing Weight.

This is definitely one of the most sought after topics on the net, thus showing that,   the  vast majority of us are trying to find ways to lose weight or lose fat.  How can I lose weight is the question uppermost in our minds. We look for weight loss supplements, weight loss diets, weight loss recipes, and   weight loss exercises. We make a weight loss program and follow it rigidly.

Some of us succeed in losing weight and some of us do not. What  differentiates the two of us , is the intensity of the motivation to lose weight and the will power to adhere to weight loss regimes. In this article, you will find weight loss tips without being too strict upon yourself.

Weight Loss.

Sometimes in spite of a proper diet and physical exercise, you do not reduce weight. This may confuse and bother you. To help you lose weight, you have to understand two basic principles:

1) Sometimes there may be certain reasons  why you are not losing weight. In order to lose weight fast, see that the reasons explained below are ruled out in your case.

2) Besides these reasons, there is one basic principle to lose weight quickly, which you may be missing out on (explained below).

1) Reasons for not losing weight.

  • Certain medications being taken for a psychiatric problem. This may be due to the fact that after recovering from a bout of depression, you feel better and this makes you eat more. Certain medicines you take for diabetes and hypertension, prolonged use of steroids, oral contraceptives are also seen to cause increase in weight. So, if you are on any of these medications and are increasing  your weight, talk to your physician.
  • Stress increases weight  as you may respond to stress by eating more. Learn techniques to handle stress. Meditation is a good option.
  • Certain hormonal disorders like hypothyroidism (decreased function of thyroid) and Cushing’s syndrome (excessive secretion of cortisol) cause weight gain  due to increased deposit of fats on certain parts of the body. Your physician  will advise you on this.
  • Lack of sleep is another  reason as it alters your metabolic activity. Take  steps to get that proper sleep. However, you could get those tips at www.googobits.com
  • Menopause. Here, the weight gain is a result of hormonal changes taking place in the body. Estrogen levels decrease after menopause and this causes extra fats to be deposited especially around the midriff. A weight reducing plan consisting of a  proper diet to lose weight  and a proper exercise regime to lose weight can help you lose weight fast.

Reasons to Lose Weight.

I can think of two reasons:

1.      For that better appearance so that you can stand proudly amongst others and be able to wear the clothes you want.

2.      To avoid certain health problems that come with excess weight or obesity, like heart diseases,  diabetes,  liver diseases,  arthritis,  cancer.

The former reason is more likely amongst the young people, while the second reason  is more attributed to a little later age, when you have become  more health conscious.

What would you prefer to look like?


2) Basic Principle to Lose Weight.

Calorie Intake      more than     Calories Burnt   =  Weight gain

Calorie Intake      less than       Calories Burnt   =  Weight loss

Calorie Intake      equal  to      Calories burnt    =  Weight maintained

One way to lose weight is to always keep this principle in mind. To lose weight therefore,

  1. Our calorie intake has to be less than calories burnt, which means we eat less,  OR
  2. The calories burnt have to be more than our calorie intake, which  means we exercise more.

To lose weight incorporate  a little of both in our weight loss plan. Keep this equation of calories to lose weight in mind always. Use a Calorie calculator and a BMR calculator for helping you with the calorie  equations as shown below:

  • Use a BMR Calculator to calculate your BMR (Basal metabolic Rate). BMR  is the calories required to maintain your body’s essential activities like breathing, digestion,metabolism, etc and indicates the calories that are burnt by your body even at rest.
  • Use a Calorie Intake Calculator to calculate the calories consumed during the day. Know these calories in various foods and drinks which are shown “here”.
  • Use a Calorie Calculator to calculate the calories burnt by the  physical activity during the day.

So, now you have

  • calories consumed,
  • calories burnt and
  • calories required for BMR.

To lose weight,

Calories burnt  should be more than the BMR + Calories consumed.

For example,  if your calorie calculator and BMR  calorie calculator shows that you have burnt 2500 cals during the day and your calorie intake calculator shows that you have consumed 2000 cals, then you have burnt 500 cals more than you have consumed during the day.

Going by the thumb rule that you have to burn 3500 cals to lose 1 lb body fat,  then at this rate you will lose weight in one week of 1 lb.  Weight loss has to be gradual to look and stay healthy. Stay on this fundamental  principal of losing weight and there is no normal reason why you should not lose weight.

How to Lose Weight Quickly.

  • Eat  just enough to maintain the BMR (Basal metabolic Rate) and basic nutrition to the body.
  • Choose only foods  which contain low fat and low calorie content. Read the labels carefully before you buy anything to ensure you are not buying something which has high calories. Knowing the  calories in common foods will help you keep a watch on your calories to lose weight.
  • Do not have much variety in your meal as you will  tend to eat more than necessary.
  • Drink 3 to 4 liters of water everyday. This is, provided you do not have any health problems  which contraindicate this. Consult your  physician  on this.  The tremendous benefits of drinking adequate water in weight loss are explained “here”.
  • Incorporate  the required physical activity in your daily routine to lose weight fast.  Physical exercise is to be  an everyday affair. There are to no weekly offs,  just as there no weekly offs to eating food.
  • Have a strong determination and consistency and your weight loss is guaranteed and you can lose weight. For this, the help of your family and friends  can be useful in order to  keep your motivation to lose weight very high.
  • Be patient. Losing those extra kilos has to and will be gradual. Have a weight loss plan that will be spread over a prolonged period. Plan a reduction of ½ kilo weight in one week.

Action Plan:

How to lose weight is not just about understanding the principle explained above. Losing weight fast is about implementing this losing weight principle in your daily routine immediately.  Very few people fail to do this because it keeps on being pushed to tomorrow, which never comes.

Besides understanding these tips to lose weight, you could read

And lastly, as Winston Churchill said “Never, never, never quit”.