The One Pound Closer Campaign is my brainchild. It stems from my belief that people are too ambitious with their short-term weight goals.
Fad diets promise weight loss as high as one pound per day. Conservative nutrition plans encourage weight loss of two to three pounds a week. They are all too optimistic.
While losing over 130 pounds, I came to the conclusion that losing weight is not easy. It is very hard to lose a pound of fat and that accomplishment should not be taken lightly.
Weight Loss 101
You have to burn 3,500 more calories than you eat/drink to lose one pound of fat. That is a lot of calories. To lose only two pounds a week, you must create a weekly 7,000 calorie deficit. That is 1,000 calories a day.
Weight loss experts think that a daily calorie deficit of 1,000 is simple. All you have to do is eat 500 calories less than you normally eat and burn 500 calories more than you normally do. Simple right. For most of you that would equal one less meal a day plus an hour of strenuous exercise a day.
2 Pounds a Week is 2 Much
Trying to lose two pounds or more every week requires a large lifestyle change.
- Large temporary lifestyle changes lead to fast temporary weight loss
- Small permanent lifestyle changes lead to slow permanent weight loss
Most people go on a "diet" and are successful early. However, they eventually return to their old eating habits and they gain the weight back faster than they lost it.
Large lifestyle changes are hard to maintain long-term. Most people eventually return to their old habits. That is why 98% of Americans regain the weight they lose within 5 years.
One Pound a Week
The best way to see results is by adjusting your current lifestyle with small permanent changes. This will allow you to lose weight and keep it off.
Losing weight is very rewarding both mentally and physically, but it is not easy. There are no quick fixes. Aim for one pound of fat loss every week and do not be depressed if you fail, because dropping a pound of fat is hard. However, if you are successful, next week you will be One Pound Closer to your goals.
Start losing weight today without breaking the bank using Dr. Kal's Don't Go Broke Diet.Laugh and lose weight at the Laugh Out Loud Weight Loss Blog.
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**Please consult your physician, registered dietitian, or certified fitness professional before starting or changing your diet or exercise program.**
