You’ve probably heard about the amazing story of Michelle Bridges. She lost nearly 100 pounds!
What if I told you that you could experience the same results – even if you’re not exactly what we would consider ‘bikini ready’?
You’d probably agree that it’s quite possible. We’re always looking for ways to improve our lives. And what better way to lose weight than to follow the footsteps of Michelle Bridges and achieve the body we want – without risking our health in any way. That’s the aim of any weight loss programme, right?
The question is: How much weight can you lose?
The answer is: It depends. On your body type, how devoted you are to the programme and what you eat, you can certainly lose a lot of weight. Let’s take a look.
Is It Possible To Lose That Much Weight?
Let’s be honest – if you’re reading this, you’re probably already determined to make a change. And if you’re in good physical condition and aren’t over a certain weight, it’s definitely possible to lose a lot of weight. A 100 pound weight loss is completely within the realms of possibility. The catch is (and it’s a big one), you have to be determined, you have to be driven and you have to be realistic about your goals.
But you know what? Even if you don’t reach your goal weight, you’ll still walk away with a lot more confidence and self-esteem than when you started. And isn’t that what matters in life?
So, think about what would happen if you could drop those extra pounds effortlessly. How much better would your life be then? What would you do with all that extra time? How much more relaxed would you be when you sit down to eat?
Realistically, it takes a lot of dedication and hard work to lose weight. It’s not something that just happens overnight – at least, not for the most part. What would happen if you started now?
Which Body Type Is Suitable For Weight Loss?
One of the important things to consider if you want to lose weight is your body type. Body types vary from person to person, but there are some generalisations that you can make. Broadly speaking, you can divide people into two camps: those with a slim body type and those with a more voluminous one. (The weight-loss journey can be tough for everyone, regardless of body type – so take that into account.)
With regard to the first camp, if you have a slim body type, it’s easier to drop pounds. You have a higher ratio of muscle tissue to fat – which means you burn calories more effectively than those with a higher ratio of fat to muscle. As a result, you’re more likely to see significant results from a weight loss programme.
The other camp is more suited to gaining weight. They have a higher ratio of fat to muscle and are less efficient at burning calories – so you’ll notice that it’s harder for them to lose weight. But they’re also more prone to obesity, which can lead to other health problems.
If you’re in the latter camp, it’s a good idea to focus on building up your muscle mass rather than trying to lose weight. Once you achieve that, you’ll be in a better position to deal with the extra pounds that you’ve gained. You’ll also be healthier in the long run – because building up your muscle mass actually helps protect you from many diseases. (Check out our article on the dangers of obesity for more information.)
What Is Your Diet Like?
Keeping fit and healthy comes in many different shapes and sizes – and what you eat influences how you look and how you perform. Whether you’re a fan of food or hate it, there’s a diet for everybody. And in order to lose weight, you’ll have to make some changes to your diet. Luckily, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow.
First and foremost, decide on what you’ll eat and what you’ll avoid. Are you going to be following a vegan diet or a vegetarian diet? What about fish or meat? When you know what you’re allowed to eat and what you’re not, it’s easier to adhere to a weight loss programme. (Check out our guide to the best vegan shoes, for example, if you’re following a vegan diet – you’ll need some stylish pointers if you want to keep up with the trend.)
One of the biggest mistakes that people make when trying to lose weight is going on a diet that doesn’t suit their body type. For example, if you’re following a low-fat diet, but you have a higher ratio of fat to muscle, you’re effectively denying yourself of the nutrients that your body needs to stay fit and healthy. Your muscles will begin to deteriorate and you’ll lose the results that you were looking for. Instead, test out different dietary restrictions and see which one suits you best. (We’ve covered this subject in-depth in our article on dietary restrictions for specific health benefits.)
In contrast, if you decide to go on a vegan diet, you’ll be giving your body the raw materials that it needs to stay healthy and active. There are many studies that link a vegan diet to weight loss. One meta-analysis, which looked into 11 studies with a total of 2,811 participants, found that those following a vegan diet lost more weight than those on a mixed diet (4 kg vs 2.8 kg).
Remember that the way you look and the way you perform on the outside is always reflected on the inside. So if you want to lose weight, you’ll have to change the way you feel on the inside too.
How Much Exercise Do You Get?
We’re always looking for ways to improve our bodies, which is why we do extensive research before putting product recommendations out there. When it comes to getting exercise, the recommended guideline is to do whatever you can. However, the question is: How much exercise are you getting? If you’re not really sure, it’s a good idea to get a fitness tracker. These devices will keep track of your activity levels so that you can see how much exercise you’re getting in compared to how much you should be getting. (If you’re interested in getting a fitness tracker, check out our guide on the best accessories for your phone.)
If you’re looking for ways to up your exercise levels, consider getting a fitness tracker for the day. Some people use them as a way to get motivated and stay active throughout the day. (Check out our guide to the best headphones if you want to listen to music while working out.)
Are You A Stereotype?
Nowadays, it’s more common than not to see people of colour in fitness magazines and online bloggers’ posts. However, there is still a lot of weight bias in our culture. It’s not just the media either. Many people believe that certain body types are more suitable for specific sports than others. (The number of sports that you’re not allowed to participate in because of your weight is quite frankly, sad.)
If you want to lose weight, it’s important to recognise that there will be some preconceived notions that you have to get over. Many people think that being strong is all about burning calories. While that is true, being strong comes in different sizes and shapes too.
If you want to get into shape, you have to overcome your prejudices about weight and take into account that there are different ways of being strong. (Check out our interview with Olympic gold medallist Valerie Fleming for more information.)
How Much Weight Can You Lose?
As we’ve established, it takes a lot of hard work to lose weight. And it takes a lot of dedication to keep it off. (Many people, myself included, struggle with binge eating. It’s something that you need to watch out for if you’re prone to binging. (Check out our binging behaviour guide for more information.)) But if you want to know how much weight you can lose, it’s not as tough as you’d think. (A 100 pound weight loss is completely feasible, even if it’s not easy.)
If you’re in good health and have a slim body type, it’s quite likely that you can drop some weight. It takes considerable willpower to deny yourself of the food that you crave. But it’s all about priorities. If getting in shape is a priority for you, then you’ll be able to shed those pounds quite easily.