There’s only one way to weight loss

(By Lisa Sarah John, Courtesy Bangalore Times, Apr 02, 2007)

There simply is no quick and easy solution to obesity. The scientific world will continue with its quest to find one and people will keep hoping it will be discovered soon. So much so that people are willing to spend any amount of money to lose weight as long as the method involves as little effort as possible on their part.

Satisfying this desire are the many advertisements for easy solutions aided by pills, powders and machines; belts and pads that can be strapped around your bulging tummy, thighs or arms; and surgery which can suck out fat from certain areas. Pills are recommended that will prevent fat from being absorbed when your food is digested or pills that will help the body to burn stored fat. Powders are recommended to substitute one or two meals per day.

But after three decades of study one can safely say there is no shortcut, except commitment in your mind and hard work with your body. Everybody can lose weight without any aids like powders, pills, gadgets or surgery.

The simple miracle formula that works is a combination of walk, water and diet. The major problem people have to overcome to be successful is to learn never to compare your body and the rate at which you lose weight with others.

This is what discourages most people and makes them quit. The formula is the same for everyone from the age of 5-75 or more. However, the amount of exercise, water and quantities of food vary from person to person, depending on age, sex, body composition, metabolism, hormones and genetic background. You have to discover what works for your body and also accept that you may lose weight varying from two to three kgs per month and in a difficult case you may lose only one kg per month.

In accepting this and setting your mind to persevere lies your victory. Say no to pills, powders, gadgets. They can have harmful side-effects and after they are stopped weight may come back rapidly. Weight loss without exercise destroys muscles, body composition and metabolism. Beware of diet plans which recommend skipping meals or include meals that completely avoid carbohydrates like bread, rotis, rice and meals that are not balanced like only fruits, only soup, only vegetables/salad or meals like only a bowl of pulses (channa) or only chicken are all very dangerous and harmful to the body. Kidneys, heart and intestines as well as your muscle tissue and skin can be seriously damaged.

 

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