Eat healthy, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise. This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result to a new, healthier you.


Monday, February 18, 2008

5 Tips To Lose 15 Pounds Fast

By Daniel Depp

How many diets and exercise programs have you seen that promise to help you lose 15 pounds fast? I wonder how many people have used these products successfully? From my experiences I have found that the problem with these kind of claims is that although it may be possible to lose this amount of weight very quickly, it is not always the healthiest, safest option and very rarely does it lead to permanent weight-loss. This purpose of this article is to point you in the correct direction and to give tips and advice on how best to achieve your weight-loss targets.

Most diets available today claim to allow the dieter to shed pounds ridiculously quickly - who wouldn't want to lose 15 pounds fast?! - it is great marketing!. The truth is that although many of these diets do create an initial fast loss of weight, this rarely lasts and is more often than not due to water loss and muscle wastage. This type of dieting is extremely unhealthy and leads to dehydration and lowers ones energy and concentration levels. There are more effective ways to lose 15 pounds fast which can help you keep the weight off.

Other low calorie diets which are touted can work but it is important to realise that severe calorie restriction for too long leads to the body's metabolism slowing down significantly and heading towards its 'body starvation mode'. Once your body hits this starvation mode it will burn far less calories in a bid to stay alive!

The body will respond when entering body starvation mode by using its own reserves to provide energy, these reserves are not just the body's extra fat. Initially, glycogen stores (the storage form of carbohydrate in our body) are broken down for energy. Once this energy source is depleted within a few hours water is released and consequently a drop in weight is noticed.

The common problem associated with starvation-type diets is the resultant weight regain. When the starvation diet ends, the individual returns to the same old habits - there has been no life-style change which is really the key to losing weight and keeping it off. The composition of this weight regain is fat - this replaces the muscle mass lost during the diet and the individuals metabolic rate is decreased. The frustration experienced at this point leads the individual back onto another starvation type diet and so the cycle continues. This is why we see so many people seemingly on a constant diet. Remember - it is possible to lose 15 pounds fast, but keeping the pounds off is the real goal.

If you are one of those people that constantly seem to be dieting you will find that making the following small changes to your lifestyle will greatly improve your long-term weight loss goals;

1. Eat 4-6 small meals per day, balancing your intake of nutrients. This helps increase metabolism as your body is constantly working to process the food.

2. Start exercising - it may seem obvious but it is amazing how many people simply diet without any exercise. This helps your body increase its metabolic rate still further and will speed your weight-loss results.

3. Use weight training combined with aerobic exercise - you don't need to lift massively heavy weights - just do a little, it helps regain any muscle mass lost during dieting and the aerobic workout will help increase the appetite appropriately.

4. Eat Breakfast - this kick starts your metabolism for the day. Studies have shown that people who it a healthy breakfast actually lose more weight than people who skip it all together!

5. Drink Water - This is the energy source for all life, staying hydrated is vital.

There are few diets that enable you to lose 15 pounds fast and fewer still that can provide the continuous and long lasting results you are looking for. It is up to you to get motivated and want to lose the weight - permanently. I'm not saying it is easy but by following the guidelines above you'll be off to a fantastic start and you will avoid the notorious body starvation mode!

Should you wish to learn more about losing weight and keeping it off please visit my website at Lose 15 Pounds Fast where I review some of the products that helped me and many other people to lose 15 pounds fast and permanently.

I hope you enjoyed this article and I look forward to hearing of your weight-loss success.

Daniel Depp is a health and fitness fanatic. He is a former professional athlete who, since retiring found himself over-eating and piling on weight. He decided that enough was enough and embarked on a mission to gather as much infomation about weight-loss and fitness as he possibly could and then impliment these in his own life. He has since lost over 20 pounds of body fat, lives a healthy and vibrant lifestyle and is committed to helping others do the same. Visit his website at Lose 15 Pounds Fast to get more in depth advice on weight-loss, diets, fitness training and general wellness.