Eddy's Blog
What it takes to achieve REAL SUCCESS.
Realistic Weight Loss
Reaching your goals can take place quickly. On average, if aiming to lose weight (body fat, not lean tissue), approximately 1 kilo a week is sufficient. In doing so, losing 10 kilos in 10 weeks is not uncommon. Many programs promise quick weight loss in the first week of commencing. It is likely that you may lose more in your first week of making healthier choices, however this is generally water weight rather than body fat which is the real target of weight loss. Whilst losing up to 5 kilos in the first week may be enticing for some, this will only be counterproductive in the following weeks. Healthy weight loss is best achieved at a slower but steady rate. In this way it is highly likely that you will not only continue to be able to do so week in and week out, but more importantly you will lose more fat and less lean tissue. Maintaining lean tissue/muscle tone is absolutely paramount as you will feel better, have more energy, look healthier and be able to burn more calories at rest. This is because muscle tone/lean tissue requires calories to survive and provides tremendous assistance in keeping your metabolism active. With this in mind, scales may not be the best way to track your progress. How you feel, look in the mirror and how certain clothes fit you that were initially tight in certain areas is a far better indication! Transforming the body and mind to think and do things differently is the real target that most people should be aiming for, which is a realistic and feasible goal both short and long term. For this to occur, you need to develop a healthy relationship with yourself, exercise and food. Though your first week or two may be difficult to approach, it will most certainly become easier as your mindset changes, as you commence feeling better and as you commence eating satisfying, healthy and appetising food.
Reducing, Not Eliminating Food Groups
Not depriving yourself of anything you really enjoy is important initially, this will allow you to ease into your new regime. Cutting carbs out completely or eliminating sugar completely, as a general rule may have a rebound effect unless a person is particularly strong willed and focused. Therefore it is important to have a small amount of carbohydrates with all or most meals and to include moderate to high levels of protein, vegetables and salads (fats are included in all proteins and if added should be consumed in moderation but not eliminated). Slowly cutting back on your sugar intake tends to work better for most people. Following a well-balanced nutritional intake containing all macronutrients, particularly for main meals, not only allows you to prepare/purchase a variety of good tasting food, but makes it that much easier to change your ways, maintain a focused mindset and continue to pursue your goals. This will become a lifestyle change for today, tomorrow and years to come.
