We have all heard that to lose weight, you have to burn calories than you consume. This certainly makes sense although the problem with this logic is that it may also make you think that the opposite is true: The less you eat, the more weight you lose. Unfortunately, this is a weight loss misconception.
It is true but only to a certain extent. If your caloric intake is in excess of what you need for weight maintenance, then you become heavier. However, if you drastically lower the number of calories you consume, your body will shift to survival mode thinking that you are starving. It will try to hold on to your stored fats by slowing down your metabolism. In other words, if you don't want to sabotage your weight loss efforts, don't starve yourself.
You should not go any less than 1,200 calories a day if you want to lose weight and still eat a healthy diet. There is actually a "magic number" for optimum weight loss and it varies from one individual to the other but it is up to the dieter to find out the exact number that works for him or her. Research says that when women take in less than the optimal amount, their metabolic rate at rest drops by as much as 45 percent.
According to experts, the number of calories a dieter consumes may have to be adjusted at certain points during the weight loss process due to changes in his or her metabolism, weight and activity. This is especially true with people who are excessively overweight.
An active metabolism generates significant weight loss. To stimulate the metabolism, one should consume enough calories. Here are some tips to do it:
Never skip breakfast. Many dieters make the mistake of not eating breakfast thinking it is an easy way to cut down on calories because most of them do not feel hungry at this time of day anyway. This habit is counterproductive to weight loss. When you sleep, your metabolism slows down and it is important get your metabolism fired up in the morning so that your body can efficiently burn calories the rest of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast will stimulate your sluggish metabolism which is why dieters should never start their day without it.
Eat more often. Digestion requires energy therefore if you eat frequent meals, you keep your metabolism constantly active. Remember however that you must be careful not to exceed 400 calories for every mini-meal or snack you consume. You should also choose foods that are filling but low in calories such as fruits and whole grain breads. This strategy will also keep you from overeating during regular meals.
Plan your meals. You may find it a little hard to do this but with practice, like everything else, it becomes easy. You need to match your daily meals with your specific activities for each day. For instance, if you have many physically exhausting tasks to do on a particular day, then make sure you include energy-giving foods in your meal plan. On less busy days, you can eat lighter. It is also helpful to have proper snack foods available at all times such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and nuts to keep you from reaching for a bag of Cheetos.
You don't have to starve or deprive yourself to lose weight. You simply need to maintain a healthy routine and cultivate it until it becomes a lifestyle.
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