Succeeding Where Diets Fail

Most people who go on a diet fail. Is it because they are weak? Probably not. Is it because they are stupid? Again, probably not. It's because most diets are not set up to be adhered to for the long term. No one can eat 800 calories a day for the rest of their lives. The people who believe they can are the ones who fail.

If you aren't deprived you don't think you're dieting. Well, that's probably true. But, to be healthy you don't want to go on a diet. You want to change your eating habits. You also need to exercise.

I've been on all the main types of diets there are. I've done Weight Watchers, NutriSystem, NutriMed, counting calories, and counting fat grams. And, guess what. They all work. I lost tons of weight. But, I couldn't keep it up so I eventually gained it back. I've even taken prescription diet pills. The same thing happened. I lost a lot of weight. And, I gained it back later.

To truly get healthy and lose weight for good, you have to make life-style changes. These types of changes are changes you can live with. You have to change the way you think about weight loss. It's not what you are taking away, it's what you are keeping that is important. You want to keep lean body mass and healthy internal organs. You want to be healthy, not skinny.

You also need to do two types of exercise. Walking is great as an aerobic exercise. But, for a total healthy life-style, it is not enough. You also need to do weight training. This doesn't mean you have to get a big, bulky weight bench with lots of bars and weights. You can find small cheap weights at most department stores. All that is needed is light toning. Having more muscle means your metabolism is going to be faster. And, a faster metabolism means you are going to burn fat and calories more efficiently. That is what being healthy is.

And lastly, go easy on yourself. It's ok to take a day to rest. Your body will do better at the exercise if you rest at least one day a week. If you are craving something and just can't live without it, go ahead and have a little. If you have a little of something it will make the craving go away for a while and you can get right back on track. Don't force yourself to become a diet and exercise fanatic.

Being healthy is putting the right fuel into your body. Being healthy is giving your body the correct amount and type of exercise to process that fuel. Being healthy is the ultimate goal. Being healthy is being able to do what you want to do and not be held back by being out of shape.

So don't go on a diet. Chances are you will fail and gain the weight back. That is not only unhealthy, it adds to feelings of failure and depression. Do the healthy thing. Eat right, get aerobic exercise, and do a bit of weight training. You won't regret it. And, your body will thank you every day by feeling great.