What is the best way to lose weight? That question is asked all time by people who really want to ask some different questions. The real questions that they want to ask are these: What is the easiest way I can lose weight by doing nothing and not changing anything? Can’t I just take some magic pill or some magic food (think acai berry) and melt the fat right off? I mean scientists are pretty smart so they have to have invented something by now, right?
[If a scale company started making a scale like this they probably would go out of business pretty fast! Sometimes the truth hurts!]
Of course the reality is that you do have to do something and you do have to change things to lose weight. There really isn’t any magic pill or magic food that will make you lose weight over the long run. It might work temporarily but it’s very unlikely that you’ll keep the weight off for any appreciable length of time. And scientists are smart but that doesn’t mean that they have all the answers. So what should you do if you really want to lose weight safely and effectively? The answer shouldn’t surprise you.
The Secret Is To Eat Real, Quality Food.
Sorry to burst your bubble with that terribly simplistic answer. If you were looking for some incredible, ancient secret that only the elite know then you are gullible and you probably spend a lot of money chasing the next best weight loss product. Don’t do that! It’s expensive and is the equivalent of a snipe hunt. It should be obvious that what you eat determines how much weight you gain or lose. If it is not obvious then you have been brainwashed by diet marketers, go back to square one.
By real, quality food I mean food that is as close to its natural state as possible. That means you should be eating fruits, vegetables, wild caught fish, grass-fed meats, pastured chickens and eggs. Try to buy non-GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) if possible. Locally grown organic is the best. I’m realistic and know that it’s not always possible to do this. Just do your best with what you’ve got wherever you are.
Don’t Drink Your Calories.
Since you will be eating better quality food (you will be, right?) you should also watch what you drink. Don’t drink pop, soda, energy drinks, sports drinks or any other drink that has a bunch of empty calories in them – usually in the form of sugar. This would also include all diet soda and any other artificially sweetened drink. Those drinks won’t do you any favors either. Good ‘ol water is the best thing that you can drink. Green tea, coffee in moderation and some fruit juice that you make (using a juicer) are also acceptable but don’t over do it (you are better off just eating the fruit).
It Isn’t Really Food If You Can Buy It While In Your Car Or Where You Get Gas.
No more eating fast food. No more eating food from the Kwik Trip or 7-Eleven. Don’t justify it by using the convenience factor or I didn’t have time to make something healthier excuse. The truth is you can do better and make better decisions if you really want to. Fast food is nutritionally poor and full of unpronounceable ingredients. And that hot dog from the gas station? Please. It’s crap. You owe it to yourself to eat better food.
Speed Up Weight Loss By Exercising.
It’s been said that your body composition is 80% determined by the foods that you eat. So what about the other 20%? I’d guess that 15% is determined by how much you exercise and 5% by genetics/environment. So you do have a lot of control over how you look and exercise can play an important role. Start some type of exercise program that will increase your cardiovascular and respiratory endurance, help you build your muscles and increase your functional strength. If anything, just start going for a long walk everyday.
Diets Don’t Work In Long Run – Eating Real, Quality Food Does.
Don’t go on some fad diet either. Almost all diets fail. Make lifestyle changes. If you want to call eating real food a diet then go ahead. But eating food that is not processed to the max shouldn’t be called a diet. It’s just smart, healthy living. So make the commitment to yourself that you will eat better quality food. Your body will thank you for it.
haha you are right eating sensibly is the best way to lose weight but its so boring for the media to report and what can a diet company sell then?
I recently saw last year’s winners from Body for life ..guess what the male and female both put weight back on!
I very surpirsed
I think It was because in the ned they didn’t understand the simple rules for long term weight management as you describe above.
I didn’t have the courage to go up to them and say ..gee looks like you F*^ked up!
Raymond
Raymond – ZenMyFitness´s last [type] ..What Type of Mindset is needed to be Successful in MMA
Raymond,
It is a boring answer that’s why people probably ignore it too much. It’s not sexy enough.
David
You’re preaching to the choir here.
Since I lost a lot of weight, about 55 pounds, people ask me how I did it because they want to lose some too. But they never like the answer. Like I’m not telling them “the secret”, just giving them the same crappy advice they already had gotten. Sigh.
If I need to pick just 1 item from your list, it would be the REAL FOOD item. Honestly, I would stand right next to the pastry area in a supermarket, with a ruler. And everytime someone reach hands towards apple pie, I’ll smack their hands with the ruler… *smack* You can buy real apples, you know? *smack* You can add cinnamon to real apples as well. *smack* Try real apples with cinammon, baked, at least once. *smack*…
Reinaldo´s last [type] ..Primal – Paleo Carbonada
Reinaldo,
It’s the secret that everyone can see (and probably instinctively know) but think “It can’t be that easy can it?”
David
Sometimes the best answer is the simplest answer. Eat real quality food and watch your weight decline. I’d say eat less as well, but if you eat real food, you’ll naturally feel fuller and will have less cravings, leading to that beneficial side effect.
David,
Glad you brought up the 80/20 principle. I also believe that 80% of your weight loss results are driven by diet. Eating natural, unprocessed foods and watching your overall calorie intake is the best thing you can do. Exercise is also important, but secondary in my opinion.
Alykhan
Alykhan – Fitness Breakout´s last [type] ..My Favorite Healthy Fast Food Choices
I agree – the secret is to eat a high quality natural diet. It’s hard to gain weight if you only eat whole natural foods.
Stay away from processed foods and don’t drink your calories is one of the best ways to lose weight.
Good Post.
Best – Mike
Mike – Fitness Contrarian´s last [type] ..L-arginine Supplement Boosts Endurance
Real food is the key, but its important to note that because you eat good food, does not mean you can binge eat, you still need to manage your intake to ensure to stay within the guidelines and create a deficit for fat loss.
I used to over eat and even though my diet is vegan I was still gaining weight.
Alejandro “The Fittest Vegan”´s last [type] ..Visual Impact AKA Body Transformation 101 The Results
Great post,
If it comes in a package – don’t eat it!
Darren@moreprimetime.com
Darren´s last [type] ..Increase Human Growth Hormone