Go on an EDIT, not a DIET

Losing weight is a perpetual cycle in the lives of people.  I have responded to countless questions throughout the years and often say that a person needs to go on an EDIT instead of that bad little word "diet".  Simply editing the foods we eat, and the amount of exercise we get, and the social influences that we fall prey to, can have a lasting impact on weight for the long haul. So many fail because they go about it all wrong and then they get frustrated at the thought of even trying again.  I hope to share some tips in the coming weeks on ways to edit your life for weight loss without giving up everything that you love. 

Here's a document I had in my archives that I wanted to share about weight loss and the concept of slow and steady wins the race.  I have known several people throughout the years who have had gallstones develop as a result of weight loss happening too quickly.  That little tidbit of information is pointed out in this article as well as some other things you should know before starting for what I hope to be your last and successful time.  Remember EDIT, not diet.

~DrSonja

There isn't a magic pill for quick weight loss, so to lose weight, you must exercise and watch what your eat. Many turn to fad diets, but the results are often fleeting. The best type of weight loss plan is one that it teaches you to make lifestyle changes towards healthful eating and an active lifestyle, and not to attempt to shed pounds overnight. Quick weight loss can have a number of effects on the body.

Weight Gain

Weight gain is an unfortunate effect of quick weight loss. It might sound odd, but after the "miracle diet" is over and you resume regular eating and exercise patterns, the weight will come back on faster than it came off. Yo-yo dieting is a cycle when dieters end up heavier than they were before they started one or more quick weight loss diets. It is a wiser choice to eat healthfully, count calories, exercise regularly and responsibly, and to lose no more than 1 pound per week.  *****(I think that 2 pounds is okay too especially in someone with more to lose)~DrS

 

 

 

Sagging Skin and Stretch Marks

The skin only has so much elasticity (and this decreases with age) so weight gain and weight loss usually result in both sagging skin and stretch marks. The quicker the gain or loss, the greater the effect on the skin.

Fatigue

Fatigue of the muscles and overall mental and physical exhaustion are side effects from quick weight loss diets that restrict calories and don't encourage a balanced diet. Many diets focus on what you eat but not what you do. Nutritionist Kimberly Snyder does not suggest skipping meals, but encourages dieters to have a "green smoothie" as a meal replacement. The smoothie will provide valuable nutrients for dieters in addition to cleansing and detoxifying the body. A regular exercise program not only burns calories but also increases resting metabolism and boosts energy.

Reduction in Metabolic Rate

The body has amazing ways of protecting itself. If you suddenly reduce your caloric intake, your metabolic rate will also slow itself down as your body slips into conservation mode. This is why some people lose a lot of weight quickly, but then, even though they are still eating the same greatly reduced amount of calories, their weight loss stalls and they are unable to lose another pound unless they drop their caloric intake again or amp up their exercise program.

Gallstones

Quick weight loss can add stress to organs such as the heart, liver and stomach, but gallstones have been specifically linked to both obesity and rapid weight loss. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) as many as 20 million Americans have gallstones. Gallstones can be painful (symptomatic gallstones) or they may cause no pain at all (silent gallstones). Silent gallstones are often the result of a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) or from recurrent weigh loss of gain of more than 10 lbs. Silent gallstones are most likely the result of the constant change in the balance of bile salts and cholesterol. Bile salts are responsible for breaking down fat, and bile breaks down cholesterol. Gallstones form out of excess fats and cholesterol when bile and bile salt production is hindered.

Positive Effects

There are other positive effects, in addition to boosting self-image with a slimmer physique, but these are usually attributed to responsible weight loss and not to quick weight loss. When your body is at a healthy weight for your height and frame, there is less stress on the heart, lungs and joints and you are less at risk for many disorders and diseases that result from being overweight and inactive