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Can Quick Weight Loss Be Effective In The Long Term?
A couple of weeks ago I heard once again the same old argument, “If weight loss programs would really work, then we would all look great but we don’t look all that great, so it means weight loss cures are a total waste of time and money!”
You’ve probably heard or thought something similar at some point in your life, if you’ve ever tried any kind of weight loss program.
I believe that quick weight loss cures don’t work because people too often fall pray to less-than-honest advertising campaigns, spend money on “miracle products” and get no results whatsoever.
So what would really work?
Is there such a thing as a miracle quick weight loss cure or miracle pill? The short and long answer is, of course, “No!”
Weight loss cures and programs would be benefited if the accent would be shifted not so much on losing weight as on improving the general health of the individual. Furthermore, many specialists report that a change in general lifestyle can not be accomplished effectively unless it involves the whole family of the individual in facing weight issues.
What can one do to improve his or her health, well being and self image?
Procrastination is the number one challenge you will have to face if you want to make durable changes in your life. I mean what can happen if you don’t take your 30-minute walk today? Nothing, really.
There’ll be times that you skip your walk more and more often and then your gym classes because it will be harder for you to do a full body workout when you’ve done no exercise at all during the week. By the way, 2 hours once a week is not that effective anyway.
And then there are all the small treats you just can’t say no to and does it really make such a great difference if you eat a little chocolate today or a double cheeseburger tomorrow?
When I needed to find a weight loss cure that really works I tried a lot of things. I’m not saying that they are all a waste of time but I didn’t like any of them. There are friends of mine who swear by Atkins or Hoodia or who knows what else but I’ve never had any success with any of the well known weight loss programs.
And I am not the type that goes to the gym either. I simply hate to sweat at the gym. I d all of the chores that need to be done around the house, I love gardening and I spend a lot of time playing with my dogs but I just can not make myself get up and go to the gym.
Plus I love to cook and I love to eat.
Sounds hopeless, isn’t it?
Well, it would be hopeless if I were into quick weight loss but I am not.
I’ve set myself a simple goal: I have to lose half a kilogram per month. It would have taken me 3 years to reach a healthy weight. It sounds like an eternity and it may well be so for people who expect miracles.
But look at it from my perspective – I don’t have to make major adjustments in my lifestyle right from day one. All I have to do is eat a little less fries than usual and some more veggies and then over time I have started to drink less sweet carbonated drinks.
It took me more than a year to give up fries and cola but I’ve done it and I was so proud of myself when I did. I still don’t go to the gym but I do walk for 30 minutes four times a week and I do try not to use the elevator at work.
And so, with minor adjustments over a long period of time I’ve come to achieve my goal and I haven’t gained any weight back!
