the 10 percent weight loss benefit

Holla!  Hola!  Either one. 

Today I’ve got a guest post that I think will provide us with something to think on regarding WEIGHT LOSS.    Today’s guest Dylan lost 10 percent of his body weight and it helped him tremendously.  For me, losing 10% would be a hard goal and I’m not sure it would be healthy (I weigh around 148 and don’t think I have 15 pounds to lose).  I’m hoping you’ll all chime in on the comment section and tell me what has helped YOU lose weight in the past – was it healthy? Was it sustainable?  Did you lose MUSCLE mass??

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Baby Steps for Health: The 10 Percent Weight Loss Benefit

One-hundred years ago, ‘weight loss’ wasn’t much of a conversation.  However, once the fads and lose-fat-quick regimens began churning out, being ‘fit’ wasn’t just for the beach or summer, but an all-time need.  Health and the best ways to achieve it are constantly on our minds.

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Return to Basics

Here’s an age-old maxim that seems to have slipped the minds of newfangled health gurus: slow and steady wins the race – being slow yet persistent is effective.  It works with school studies, martial arts training, learning to type, etc.  Why not translate the patient philosophy onto your health?

The Small Things

Rather attempt to scale a mountain, begin climbing a small hill.  Losing just 10% of one’s bodyweight produces significant increases in health.  So, rather add the weight of anxiety on yourself and thinking about ‘losing mass,’ focus on a small number.  Even those considerably overweight will have a much smaller number to target.

Benefits for Ailments

As people gain weight, they grow exposed to a number of health detriments, such as diabetes.  Those who are diabetic report a stabilization of blood glucose levels.  Those with hypertension report lower blood pressure.  Those with abnormal cholesterol see improvements in blood lipid levels.  Also, regardless of ‘overweight’ labels, dropping 10% of one’s body weight decreases the risk of developing heart disease.

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Maintenance

Here’s the hardest part of the ‘diet.’  Once you lose the weight, the added benefits can’t take influence over your body unless you keep it off.  You must maintain the weight loss, which likely means changing the way you eat, exercise, and live.  Being healthy is a lifestyle and not a fad.  It’s important to re-engineer the way you approach meals, prepare food, and treat your body.

Most diets fail because losing weight is the easy part.  It’s easier to suppress hunger and starve oneself of carbs…for a while.  After some time, we return to old habits or bodies modify back to prior conditions after a diet regimen.  For maximum weight loss ideas, peruse a number of online sites for additional ideas and suggestions from pros.  Find solutions that last.

Water is Your Friend

Water is a major staple of healthy living.  Water is a dieter’s best friend and a key element in losing the 10% of weight.  The great thing about water is that the more you consume, the healthier you become. The trick is finding creative ways to make it tasty and an alternative to fatty snacks, etc.

Consider infusing water with fruits and/or vegetables.  Think of the Snapple company and how many delicious and natural combinations the beverage brand derived. Furthermore, increase the number of selections by finding hot teas to enjoy, helping to curb your hunger.  Of course, water is no substitute for food but drinking more water can satiate an ‘urge.’

Add, Don’t Subtract

Dieters consider how they’re ‘giving up’ a number of foods that they love.  While you may want to curb intake of pizza and burgers, think of a diet as opportunity to meet more foods, adding them to your eating repertoire.  A number of foods actually help you burn calories rather than put them on.  Negative calorie foods require energy for your body to process, burning more calories than foods contain.

No Gym is No Problem

Going to the gym and ‘working out’ is another anxiety of dieters and those looking to get healthy.  Sure, you can facilitate health by going to the gym but it’s not a requirement to getting fit and feeling healthy.  Actually, those who are not familiar with the gym may do more harm than good going if they are not experienced or utilize a trainer.

That’s it.  Dedicating time toward a smaller goal, losing 10% dramatically influences health.  Start now!

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Dylan Newbold has lost that ten percent, and he feels great. A passionate writer, he likes to share his life’s journey by blogging online.

QUESTION:  What do you think about the 10% weight loss idea?  Too much?  Attainable and healthy?

splendid…lindsay