I Hate Diets
I don't like the word "diet." I prefer to say "lose weight." In the end, your diet plays an important role in your weight loss efforts. Exercise also plays a major role in the weight loss process. If both are not in sync with one another, you will not lose weight. I'm going to give you some tips on how to diet safely.
No Magic Pills
The first thing you should know is that although there are many ways to lose weight, not all methods are safe. Some people say that losing weight rapidly is always unhealthy. I don't necessarily agree. Depending on what types of foods you are eating, you can have rapid weight loss and still be healthy. One caveat though - you will not find rapid weight loss in a pill. There is no magic pill that will make you lose weight. I cannot stress this point enough. Repeat that sentence to yourself over and over again until it sinks in.
Throw These Foods Out...
Because you are now going to learn how to diet safely, I want you to go to your cupboards and throw at the following items: all white bread, rice, potatoes, cereals, cookies, corn, and any foods high in unhealthy saturated fats. Also, throw out all foods containing sugar. What's left in your cupboards? Probably nothing.
Go Food Shopping
Okay. Here's where you get to go food shopping. Get a pen and paper and make a grocery list. Your grocery list will contain the following: fresh fruit such as apples, blueberries, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, raspberries, and strawberries, lean beef, chicken and turkey without the skin, sardines, salmon, tuna, olive oil, mustard, salad greens, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, green beans, bean sprouts, tomato paste, garlic powder, salt, pepper and low fat milk and fat free plain yogurt, a measuring cup, measuring spoons and a food scale.
What Now?
Now you get to learn portion control. You need to know how much a 4 oz piece of beef is so that when you go to restaurants, you can eyeball it and not overeat. So you will now get into the practice of weighing and measuring all of your meals at home until you become an expert in eyeballing how much a cup of fruit is or how much 2 oz of cheese is. You've already got the bad foods out of your house. Once you get the hang of portion control, you're on you way to learning how to diet safely.
Exercise the Last Step
The foods you will be eating will be very high in complex carbohydrates as opposed to refined carbohydrates. These carbohydrates will keep you satiated for longer periods of time. Exercise does not necessarily mean going to the gym, but it really is the best way to go. Still, if you can't afford a membership, try these exercises: shoveling snow from your driveway for 15 minutes; walk laps around the mall for 18 minutes; go bowling for 30 minutes; splash around in an indoor pool for 15 minutes. All of these activities will raise your metabolism and help you burn fat. If you incorporate all of these tips, you will learn how to diet safely and keep the fat off permanently.