How Diets Work

The basic rule for losing weight:  burn more calories than you consume.

Our body needs nutrients to “run the plant”. The furnace of the plant is our metabolism – the process that converts food into fuel. The body only takes the calories it needs. The excess calories are converted to fat and stored…in our thighs, our abdomens, midriffs, hips. The body does this as protection against starvation. The only way to avoid this storing of fat is to eliminate the excess calories.

“So, in essence, a weight-loss diet is supposed to help you eliminate those excess calories.”

To many of us, the word “diet” tends to mean deprivation of our favorite foods and boring, tasteless meals. But, a good weight-loss diet is an eating plan where you control the quantity as well as the calories – choosing wisely – eating healthy foods. Simple examples would be choosing an apple as a snack instead of a bag of potato chips or eating a salad instead of a hamburger. You might say, “Well, duh!”, but think about yourself when you’re hungry. What do you reach for?

A good weight-loss plan will provide some help in suppressing the hunger you will surely experience – be it psychological or physical. Reasoning with yourself that it is ok to be a little hungry in the beginning, you will be able to maintain the plan and reach your goal weight. Good weight-loss plans also provide alternatives for snacks that will suppress the cravings.  (Experienced dieters know hunger begets cravings so snacks are very important!)

Good diets advocate balanced meals! The caloric content will be lower but the all-important nutrients will be there, vital to your body’s health, via tasty food.

This brings us back to metabolism. Whether yours is fast, slow or somewhere in the middle, it won’t be active unless you eat! DO NOT SKIP MEALS. Don’t like breakfast? Find a food in your plan that is simple and not too much bulk (maybe a snack) and eat that for breakfast. Interestingly, the more over-weight you are, the faster your metabolism is actually working – larger plant to fuel! As you lose weight, your metabolism will slow down and that is when you may hit the proverbial plateau. The fix? Reduce your calorie intake.  More exercise is always a great idea, too. There are many available charts to determine the maximum number of calories you need for your height, frame size, weight and activity level. As you lose weight and perhaps increase your exercise, your maximum daily calorie needs will likely decrease.

Our activity level tends to wane as the day progresses, to being almost at a standstill by evening, so plan your calorie allowance accordingly, eating a hearty breakfast, less for lunch and nearly nothing for dinner.

Good eating! Happy weight loss!