Elements of Successful Weight Loss

Many people fail to acknowledge that there is more to losing weight than simply going on a diet. As such, it is no wonder that around 98% of diets fail – miserably. So what are they missing?
Firstly, most people fail to recognise the fact that being overweight represents a problem. Note – it isn’t the problem, just the result of another problem.
As such, most people simply address the visible problem – the excess weight – and even fail to succeed in doing that, purely because they ignore the other pieces of the puzzle.
Secondly, in most cases, being overweight has underlying psychological causes. In some cases it can be emotional eating, or even a food dependency, and in others it can simply be bad habits. All of these, however, need to be addressed.
Thirdly, consider your lifestyle. If you work yourself into the ground, and then eat a huge meal just before going to sleep, your body will not need the energy right away, and store it for another occasion – as fat. It has been said that you should eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a common man, and supper like a poor man – unless, of course, your working hours are irregular, in which case you will need to adapt.
Next, you will need to look at your medication. There are a number of medications which can interfere with weight loss – and in fact cause you to pick up weight while you are using them. Trying to lose weight while consuming these will simply be counter productive.
Lastly, consider your own likes, dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. If, for instance, you hate vegetables, a diet like the raw food diet would probably end in disaster. If you prefer to eat healthy portions, any “starvation diet” would be disastrous. Know yourself – and adapt to it.

Guest Writer: Bushra