June 12th, 2009What Is Natural Weight Loss?
Drink plenty of water. If you’re overweight, chances are you are dehydrated to a greater or lesser degree. If your body is not well hydrated, it stores fat easier and has a more difficult time getting rid of it.
Cut out the processed foods. This, along with proper hydration, are probably the two most significant changes you can make to successfully lose weight. Recent studies have found that most processed food manufacturers and fast food chains add ingredients to their foods just to make them taste good (think MSG and its many variants) so you’ll eat more. You didn’t really need that last KFC drumstick, did you, but the skin tasted so GOOD! Digesting processed foods can put your blood sugar level on a roller coaster, giving your energy level pretty drastic ups and downs. After that last piece of pizza, you just wanted to take a nap, didn’t you?
Eat more fruits and vegetables, preferably organic. Your body digests the complex sugars more slowly, giving you a more even energy level, and the fiber bulk will make you feel full with a relatively low calorie intake. The body cannot digest the fiber, so it is eliminated, but as a side benefit, it attaches to some of the fats and proteins you eat, eliminating them as well. If you eat organic fruits and veggies, you won’t be consuming toxic pesticide and inorganic fertilizer residues on and in the produce. This can have long term positive health benefits for you beyond weight loss.
Get good fats from olive oil or oily fish such as salmon and mackerel. These fats will support your immune system, protecting you from illness. You should eat 3 to 5 servings a week, but if you can’t, take a high quality fish oil supplement.
Don’t neglect high quality proteins. They contribute to maintaining muscle mass, plus you will get an immediate feeling of satisfaction so you are not tempted to overeat. You can get your protein from organic beef, organic skinless chicken, and organic turkey. Beans, lentils, soy, and low fat cheeses, all organic, of course, also provide a good source of protein.
There are many other things you can do to help you lose weight naturally, but if you follow no other steps than the ones listed here, you will lose weight, you will lose it safely, and you will stand an excellent chance of maintaining your weight loss. And as a major added benefit, you will be a healthier person in the bargain.
