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Diet Ups And Downs

By Tim Chudy

Did you know 60% of Americans are overweight' Yes, that's more than half! You may or may not be in that group. Regardless, it's ok. You've come to the right place to find the right solutions to change your situation.

Many Americans will turn to books, magazines, or 'As Seen on TV' products to start losing the weight. A lot of them have outrageous claims such as, 'Lose 20 lbs. in 10 days!' This dieting and quick weight loss syndrome affects many people as they search for answers. It can turn up treacherous for your metabolism and ultimately the results you're after.

A committed dieter may start out innocently and then snowball into an unhealthy rollercoaster of starving and gorging. It's a viscous ride up and down, up and down. And one I don't recommend. Having a balanced nutrition plan will help you to raise your metabolism, lose excess body fat, look and feel better about yourself.

They typical diet ups and downs take you on a fierce ride. It begins with depleting the body of some form of food or nutrient i.e. carbs, sugar, etc... I will be the first to tell you that you will lose weight. There is no doubt about it. But the question you have to ask yourself is, 'Do you want to keep that weight off'? According to some doctors, its better forgo the weight loss than to play the up and down, up and down dance.

After your initial weight loss it is inevitable that you'll crack and begin to eat whatever it was that you cut out from your diet. This sends you on the gain upswing and usually rises above the weight you started with. You're then left with weight gain, low self esteem, feeling of failure and frustration. Regardless of the gain, it's a BIG loss.

If you're looking to lose body fat, the last thing you should be doing is dieting. Although overall weight is a measure to use, it's not the only thing. True fat loss is impossible with dieting. Here are some tips to stay off the diet ups and downs:

  1. Never go on a 'Diet'. Adjust your eating. Modify your meals. Better your nutrition. But never go on a diet. Make the necessary changes to be on a well-balanced eating plan.
  2. Always eat breakfast consisting of a good source of protein and one serving of carbohydrates, particularly with fiber. This will give you the start that you need in the morning.
  3. Eat every 3-4 hours. Skipping meals slows down your metabolism and causes blood sugar fluctuations leading to the storage of body fat.
  4. Stay away from high fat foods, such as, whole dairy, creams, and packaged products.
  5. Never eat sugar before going to bed. Try to limit your overall food intake to two hours before you go to bed.
  6. Drink water! You probably hear it all the time. so do it. that means it's important.
  7. Keep your diet clean. Cut out fried foods, fast food, and limit packaged and processed foods. Stick to free range meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.

Our society has trained us the wrong way to lose weight. Big bucks are poured into books, magazines and commercials making big promises with little to back it up. Whether you or someone you know has experienced the diet ups and downs realize ultimately, it didn't work and never will. Commit to making lifestyle changes in you nutrition and exercise and you'll be sure to lose the unwanted body fat

About the Author:

Tim Chudy, St. Louis' Top Fitness Expert, speaks and writes on a variety of health and fitness topics. He is owner of Fitness Together, a private personal training studio in St. Louis, MO. You can contact him by