Weight loss: Weight loss is a reduction in total body weight, resulting from either permanent (medical) weight loss or temporary (diet, physical activity) loss. Most cases of temporary weight loss result from the loss of body mass, but occasionally, extreme weight loss can also result from the reduction of other materials in the body. For example, when people lose large amounts of weight (over 100 pounds) within a short time, this is usually the result of acute dieting followed by an extended fasting period. Diets rich in fat and sugar lead to a temporary loss of weight that usually comes back as the body adjusts to its new dietary intake. Extreme weight loss can also occur when people engage in very high levels of physical activity for very long periods of time.
It has been shown that the most significant risk factors for the development of severe obesity are being overweight or obese, long-term use of tobacco and drinking. In addition, most cases of mild to moderate long-term weight-loss are associated with health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. The only effective method of preventing or controlling extreme weight loss and the development of health problems associated with weight loss is preventing weight loss through unhealthy practices such as binge eating and exercising without adequate feedback about the effect of these activities on the body’s nutritional status or physical condition. It is therefore important for people who wish to lose weight to seek the help of a medical professional before embarking on an extreme weight-loss program.
Body Fat Loss: In order to reduce body weight, one must reduce body fat. However, in most cases, fat loss comes only after weight loss. For most people, fat loss will occur spontaneously, without the ability to control food intake, without the motivation to burn more calories, or without an adequate plan for initiating and maintaining a proper diet and exercise routine. Therefore, even if you lose muscle mass, you may not be able to lose weight because muscle is heavier than fat and if you burn the same amount of calories, you will continue to gain weight.
Modest Weight Loss: This is an ideal weight loss method for most people, particularly those who are moderately physically fit but do not need to lose significant amounts of weight. Moderated heavy or obese shedding can occur, however, it is generally not a long-term strategy. At a moderate level of overall body weight, a reasonable lifestyle change can usually result in substantial, long-term weight loss. Losing moderate weight requires making some lifestyle changes, such as increasing the frequency and duration of regular physical activity, decreasing the amount of calories eaten, adhering to a healthy weight loss plan and making wise food choices, among other things.
The “French Paradox” refers to the fact that French people eat very little fat and yet still enjoy high overall fitness levels. The most likely explanation for this paradox is that their bodies are able to process large quantities of food and fat at once without getting overwhelmed. This type of efficient metabolism is called “hyperactivity”. People in the United States, on the other hand, have a relatively sedate metabolism which is likely the result of the unhealthy lifestyle that so many Americans lead.
Some nutrition experts believe that it is possible to use fad diets to jump-start weight loss. In a few months of following one of these diets, most people find that their weight loss is only temporary. In fact, these diets can be very dangerous because people who are overweight do not have the body chemistry or capacity for rapid weight loss that most models have. For these reasons, it is essential to make sure that you carefully research each weight loss technique and select the one that will produce the best long-term results.
