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If you are looking to lose weight, then you're in the right place as we dispel dieting myths and explain the simple process of energy balance. Remember to give yourself as long as possible so that your weight loss isn't short term and potentially dangerous. Six months is a good time to start, in this time you can look to lose between 1-2 pounds a week.

Calories vs. Calories

Are you unhappy with your weight? Have you ever looked in the mirror and asked, "How did this happen?" Well, the explanation sounds deceptively simple: if we take in more calories than we need on a daily basis, the excess calories turn into extra weight. Think of food as fuel and your body as an automobile. Food is the energy our bodies "run" on. Overeating is like over-fuelling and the excess fuel turns into fat. Thus, the cycle of weight gain begins.

Because of this basic principle (calories consumed versus calories expended), the core principle of weight loss is just as straightforward as the explanation of weight gain. If you consume fewer calories than you burn, you will lose weight. Believe it or not, this is the basis of every weight loss diet. Whether you follow a low-fat or low-carbohydrate/high protein diet or you reduce portion sizes, these are all varied means to the same end: fewer calories consumed.

But how much is safe to lose and what is the most effective method? If you take the fact that 1 pound of fat equals 3,500 calories, to lose 1 pound of fat per week (and this is the important factor here - 1 pound of fat), you will need to "lose" 500 calories each day. Traditional diets focus on cutting back on your food intake, often by too much so that your body goes into "starvation mode" and you don't lose just fat but predominantly water. This will result in weight loss but not necessarily fat loss. The most effective method is to divide this 500-calorie a day deficit into 250 calories less in food, and 250 calories more expended. Just by eating smaller portions and eating balanced you will cut back 250 calories on your food intake, and by being active every day for at least 30 minutes (depending on intensity of activity) you will expend an extra 250 calories. This equates to a loss of 1 pound of fat each week.

This is the principle that Slimfit promotes, as it is the safest, most effective and for the long term as this process encourages a lifestyle change.
(Click here for more about Slimfit)

Reality Check

It's natural to want a clear goal to work towards when losing weight. Some of the ways you can assess your weight include a body fat test, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio and weighing yourself on a scale (all of which are covered during the eight-week Slimfit programme or available in the Health Tools section of the site). Goals should vary from person to person according to your gender, body frame and height.

Keep in mind that there are some factors regarding your weight that you have little - if any - control over, the chief one being genetics. Research has shown that heredity may be the cause of up to a 30 percent increase of body weight. Other uncontrollable issues include weight gain due to side effects from medication, extreme inactivity due to medical problems and thyroid/metabolic conditions.

What does it mean to be Healthy?

Another truth to consider is that it is possible to be somewhat overweight, yet completely healthy. For example, if you eat well, exercise regularly and have no weight-related health problems, you should not feel obligated to get your weight down to a certain number on the scale.

Conversely, if you are at risk for weight-related health problems (like diabetes), your doctor has advised you to lose weight, or you no longer enjoy being moderately active it's time to do something.

The key is to just get started. Why not set your first goal to be 10 pounds or 10% of your current weight lost? Reward yourself (in a non-food way) when you meet those goals. Reaching small goals along the way is much easier than struggling to meet the final goal. Be flexible with your expectations. Remember, if you set your sights too high, inevitably, you set yourself up for failure. Instead of focusing on the magic number that is your goal weight, focus on improving your health and well-being. Reaching your healthy weight and ideal body shape will be a pleasant side effect!

Article kindly provided by those nice people at www.slimfit.uk2k.com. - Click here to visit their site