The 3 Keys to Successful
Weight Loss

1. Never restrict calories

I know what you’re thinking…WHAT?!

Everybody knows this, right?

On the surface, calorie restriction seems logical.  In reality, it signals hormonal shifts which lead to fatigue, cravings, hunger and irritability.  The body does not want to be hungry and it will perceive calorie restriction as a sign to slow down metabolism and hold onto fat because fat is a vital reserve of fuel and energy.  Furthermore, calorie restriction often leads to a loss of water weight and muscle mass, not fat.  You may be successful short tem but it is almost impossible to maintain long term.  The typical scenario is to lose a little weight, but then crash and put it back on and more.  This is not healthy.

A more logical and balanced way to lose weight is to eat regularly.  This will help avoid blood sugar lows that can lead to sweet cravings and overeating.  This will also help stabilize moods that will also help to prevent bingeing and emotional eating.

The idea is to switch from a fat storing mode to a fat burning mode.  ONLY diet can do this.  Eating regularly will help achieve this.

The key is WHAT YOU EAT, NOT HOW MUCH.

2. You MUST eat fat to lose fat

Ah yes…FAT, that evil three letter word that according to conventional wisdom will surely send us to an early grave.  No single nutrient has been as misunderstood as fat.

Here is a short list of what fat does in your body:

• Absorbs vitamins A,D,E and K
• Absorbs minerals, including calcium
• Essential component of hormones
• Slows and regulates digestion
• Essential for joint health
• Makes up every cell membrane in your body

Traditional cultures valued fat.  They did not drink skim milk, they did not eat egg whites and they did not eat low fat products.  They also did not have obesity and heart disease epidemics.

Sugar and refined carbohydrates are the true culprits.  This is becoming more widely accepted and is probably not the first time you’ve heard it.  The Standard American Diet is extremely high in sugar.  Excess sugar in the blood is dangerous and will be converted to fat by the body.  This is the root cause of weight gain and our obesity epidemic

Eating more fat will stabilize blood sugar levels, stabilize cravings and help the body switch from storing fat to burning fat.

3.  Address food sensitivities

We are in the midst of an epidemic of food sensitivities.  Food sensitivities are different than food allergies in that the body does not register an immediate response.  Food sensitivities are more subtle reactions that can occur several days after a particular food has been ingested and thus are more difficult to identify.

The two big ones are undoubtedly wheat and dairy though soy, corn and eggs are common too. 

No one knows exactly why we’re having these epidemics though industrial food processing lies at the center of the debate.  There is a HUGE difference between modern and traditionally prepared versions of these foods.  Modern day versions are often genetically modified, refined, sprayed with chemicals and in the case of milk, pasteurized and homogenized which diminishes not only its nutrient density but changes its chemical structure as well.

Food sensitivities can cause digestive problems, immune reactions and can make weight loss difficult.
 
Eliminating suspected food sensitivities for an extended period is an excellent way to not only address underlying health issues but weight loss as well.

About the Author:
Craig Fear became certified as an NTP in May of 2008. He specializes in digestive disorders, weight loss, chronic fatigue and detoxification.  His private practice, Pioneer Valley Nutritional Therapy is located in Northampton, MA.   Craig educates his clients about the importance of supporting local sources of agriculture and chose the Pioneer Valley of western MA specifically for its rich agricultural character and strong ties to small scale, sustainable farms.  Craig is a volunteer with CISA, the Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture, a non profit organization dedicated to connecting its communities with local food and agriculture.  His website is www.pvnutritionaltherapy.com.  He is also available for phone consultations as well.  You can contact him by email craig@pvnutritionaltherapy.com or call 413-559-7770.

The statements and products shown on this website have not been evaluated by the US Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.  The opinions expressed here belong solely to the author and are not necessarily those of NTPtalk.com.