…Drop the Fad Diets, Here’s How to Really Lose Weight…

It might still be early in the year, but summer is going to arrive and before you know it, you’re going to be kicking yourself for not getting in shape to fit into your summer outfit when you head to the beach. But let’s face it, losing weight isn’t something that just happens overnight or even over the course of a few weeks. Several months is a more likely time frame for visible weight loss, and that’s if you remain disciplined throughout the entire time.

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Unfortunately, weight loss has been twisted by the media and different publications. Too many people believe that going on a fad diet for a couple of weeks or working out for a short period of time can achieve noticeable weight loss. And while it’s true that you’ll see some losses, they’re only temporary.

Staying Healthy is a Lifestyle

You can’t just go on a diet for a month and call yourself healthy. Changes to our body happen over a long period of time and maintaining our weight is no exception to this. Think of it this way: if you find yourself overweight, then it’s most likely because you’ve been following unhealthy habits for a long time. When you lose weight, it’s extremely easy to put it back on because you’re accustomed to eating snacks and not exercising, so your body adjusts to your old ways more easily than it can to your new diet. Now compare it to the fit friends you envy, the people that you see wolfing down an entire burger on a weekly basis but don’t put on weight. Their bodies are accustomed to being healthy and as a result, their metabolism works differently.

Motivation is Key

People are more likely to lose weight when attempting to do it alongside friends, family members or even friendly personal trainers. The more help you get, the more motivation you have. If you’ve decided to lose weight, then there has to be some motivation behind it—a reason for doing so. Perhaps you have underlying health issues or you’re afraid of developing obesity-related diseases in the future. Maybe you’re having a hard time at your job because you aren’t physically fit anymore, or perhaps your significant other wants you to eat more healthily to set a good example for your children. Whatever your reasons, stick to them like glue and never lose sight of your goals.

“Get Fit Quick” is a Scam

As mentioned before, maintaining good health and weight is a lengthy process that is determined by your lifestyle. Don’t buy into ridiculous claims of diets or exercise regimes that can help you burn fat in just a week or something outrageous. You’re not going to burn off fat if you work at it for a week and then can’t be bothered. You need to make small and manageable changes to your lifestyle to keep the weight off for good instead of relying on short-term solutions. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator, get off the bus a stop earlier and walk the rest, or clean the house more regularly and get more active.