Fast and Safe Weight Loss - What to Do and What NOT to Do

I started off talking about some of the misinformation out there about weight loss. It really burns me up to see all of these weight loss 'cures' that are all just snake oil as far as I'm concerned. There are ways to lose weight quickly and safely, and as long as you follow the do's and don'ts, you'll see the pounds coming off. Today I want to share with you some of those essential do's and don'ts that you need to know.

DON'T Starve Yourself
It seems to make sense - if you don't eat, you won't gain weight. But it doesn't work out that way. When you don't eat, your body goes into starvation mode. It lowers its metabolism so that it can hoard the few calories it has. You also crave food more.

DO Eat Often Throughout the Day
Instead of starving, eat a lot! Eat reasonably-sized meals and small snacks throughout the day. This keeps your metabolism working at its best and it'll burn calories. Just make sure those are healthy snacks.

DON'T Drink Soda
I said before that you can still enjoy the delicious stuff you love, but I'm afraid you have to stop the soda. It's full of sodium, carbohydrates, and sugar with nothing good in it at all. Also, don't be fooled by diet or sugar-free sodas; they're almost as bad.

DO Drink Lots of Water
Water helps your body burn calories. It's especially important if you're doing cardio exercise to make sure you get plenty of water so that you don't get dehydrated. You also feel fuller when you're drinking plenty of fluids.

DON'T Try to Lose Too Much Too Fast
We all want to lose weight as quickly as possible, but when most people suddenly lose a lot of weight, they find themselves putting it back on again. Dramatic weight loss messes with your metabolism.

DO Develop a Long-Term Plan for Staying Thin
I talked about the three keys of weight loss - diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices. In order to lose the weight and keep it off, you need to keep these three things going long-term. Choose methods that you can work into your lifestyle and that you'll still be doing years from now.

DON'T Take Risks with Dietary Supplements
Dietary supplements can help you lose weight but not all are good for you. Make sure that you know what ingredients are in them before you start taking them. Just because it's available at the store doesn't mean it's completely safe and even natural products can have side effects. If you have a health condition like diabetes, kidney problems or heart disease, talk to your doctor before you take anything.

DO Take Care of Yourself
Always remember that losing weight isn't just about what you eat. You should be in the best overall health possible. Make sure you're exercising and getting enough sleep. If you've got lots of stress, learn some coping strategies to deal with it.

You can lose weight quickly and keep it off, but you need to make sure you do it in a safe way. I hope this list helps!

 By Madison Hall