If there’s one thing we’ve learned in the past few years it’s that dieting isn’t what it used to be. Thanks to advancements in science and technology, there are now alternatives to traditional diets that make it easier for individuals to lose weight fast and effectively.
The Biggest Loser
The Biggest Loser is a reality television show that follows the lives of people who have participated in American Idol–style competitions. The premise behind The Biggest Loser is that the contestants are broken down into two teams – one composed of obese individuals and the other composed of people who want to lose weight. During the competition, the teams fight with each other in multiple rounds (including an endurance round) in order to determine who will emerge as the true “biggest loser”.
While it might not be the most comfortable viewing for those who want to lose weight, the show is a valuable resource for those who are trying to do so. The competition encourages people to push themselves beyond their limits both mentally and physically and gives them the motivation to lose weight and be healthier.
The Science Of Low-Carbohydrate Living
One of the most interesting concepts to emerge from the pandora’s box of nutrition science in recent years is low-carbohydrate living. Simply put, low-carbohydrate living is an approach to eating that focuses on lowering the amount of carbohydrates that wind up in your blood stream. The reasoning is that when you eat carbohydrates your body will produce more glycerol – a substance that helps your body handle fat. Because your body is already producing more of this substance, cutting back on the carbs is a relatively easy way to shed some pounds.
What’s more is some research suggests that low-carbohydrate diets might also protect you from chronic weight gain and help you avoid metabolic syndrome, a collection of risk factors that include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. The takeaway from all of this is that if you’re an endomorph who wants to lose weight, cutting back on the carbs and focusing on what you eat might be the way to go.
Master Cleanse
While the Biggest Loser is a testament to the fact that traditional diets might not be the best way to lose weight, there is another option that you should consider. That option is a master cleanse. More and more people are realizing that cleanses are a great way to lose weight and get healthy. The idea behind a cleanse is to remove all foods from your diet for a set amount of time. It might sound impossible, but giving your body a chance to rest and restore will help you drop those extra pounds.
What’s more is cleanses have the wonderful property of resetting your body’s metabolic rate. This is important because when you eat food, your body maintains a fairly high metabolic rate regardless of whether you’re inactive or active. But during a cleanse, your body’s metabolic rate will go down – meaning you’ll be burning calories at a slower rate.
The concept of a master cleanse is to undergo a 7-day phase where you consume only water and black pepper. Some people prefer to do a full-body cleanse, while others might restrict themselves to a head or a shoulder cleanse. Which one you choose depends on your preferences and what works best for your body. For more information on the science of cleanses, check out this article by Chris Kirkpatrick here on Mind Body Nutrition.
Fasting
If you think that dieting and exercising aren’t enough, you might consider trying fasting. When you fast, you’re effectively skipping over two or three meals (depending on whether you’re doing an overnight or a day-long fast). While you’re not taking in any calories, you are allowing your body to restore and repair itself – making it a great option for someone who wants to lose weight.
When you decide to go into fasting, it’s important to note that it’s not always the best choice for everyone. For instance, if you’re battling diabetes, fasting might cause your blood sugars to go through the roof. In this case, a better option might be to take diabetics medication or insulin. The same goes for those who are battling heart disease or hypertension. In these cases, it’s often best to speak with your doctor about what is the right course of action for you.
Eating Organic
Another way to lose weight and get healthy is to eat organic. If you’re not familiar, organic foods aren’t labeled as such simply because the the food is grown without the help of chemicals. Instead, they’re grown with the aid of natural and organic pesticides and fertilizers. What this essentially means is that the food doesn’t contain harmful substances – which might include pesticides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers.
When you eat organic foods, you’ll be consuming fewer calories because you’re skipping over the pesticides and fertilizers – which means you’ll be able to lose weight. What’s more is organic foods are often more nutritious as well – containing more antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
If you’re interested in losing weight, you have numerous options available to you. Whether it’s taking a saltwater detox or trying a master cleanse, cutting back on the carbs and increasing your activity levels are some of the most effective ways to lose weight and get healthy.