Everyone Wants a Flat Stomach or Six-Pack Abs

Doesn't seem to be an answer to the question, How do I lose weight and keep it off? According to Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research there is.

There appears to be yet another answer to the never-ending saga on how to lose weight. This one comes to you compliments of the Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research. If you're aiming to lose a few pounds, they claim to have a solution. Many approaches have been proclaimed the answer to successful weight loss; diets, exercise, surgery, pills, the list goes on and on. In fact some of these suggestions have been successful in the past and continue to be, some more so than others.

The problems with the aforementioned suggestions are that for most, they don't last. Researchers at Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Research have hammered down what they believe is a major factor to achieving and maintaining weight loss.

After tracking over 2000 participants, results indicated that (are you ready for this) food journaling was the single best indication of how well a dieter would do.

Here's what you'll want to include in your food journal:

  • Accurate calorie count- it seems most folks aren't sure just how many calories are in the foods they consume. Either use one of the calorie counting site on the net or purchase a food calorie guide. It is important that you know just how many calories you're consuming each day.
  • Limit in-between meal snacks- sometimes the small sips, bits, and taste go unaccounted for. A piece of candy, a glass of juice, a few chips, they all add up to calories. You have to log every thing that you put in your mouth into your food journal.
  • See clearly what you're eating- you may believe you're consuming a balanced diet, enough fruits, veggies, whole grain, nuts, dairy, lean meats, and healthy fats. Your food journal will tell you if you really are getting enough servings of each.
  • The psychology of why you eat what you eat when you eat it-stress is one of the most compelling reasons to mindlessly munch. Other reasons may be habit and proximity. Look at what you eat when you eat it and how you feel at the time; these will give you strong clues to your habits providing you the information necessary to make adjustments.
  • It's right there in black and white- after keeping your journal for a few weeks you'll have data to compare and hopefully results you can attribute to your cognitive eating habits. What meals seemed to produce the most weight loss? How many times did you eat ice cream last week? Your journal will help you answer all your questions. Food journaling appears to be the one tool that if used, will keep you on track. Journaling like any other endeavor requires a level of commitment from you. Research indicates if you make the commitment you'll lose the weight. Sound like a good deal!

The act of putting pen to paper encourages pause for thought, this in turn makes us think more deeply about life, which helps us regain our equilibrium. -Norbet Platt

The copyright of the article How to Really Lose Weight in Fitness is owned by Chris Christian.

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