Learn here how modifying your attitude can take the sting out of diet weight loss.

There are few of us who have not seen a commercial or two that promotes a diet that allows us to "eat what we want," and still lose weight. If you're anything like I was, you probably shook your head and said, "Yeah right." Though the thought of being able to be carefree and still shed unwanted weight is appealing, few of us believe this is actually possible. Start believing! No, there's no magic pill that will do the work for you, but after you learn the secrets of developing and maintaining a balanced lifestyle, weight loss will be a near effortless task vice a monumental battle.

With all the products and books on the market, it is easy to be swayed into trying this diet or that with the hopes of finally losing the desired weight. Unfortunately, the fluctuation of success and failure does little to our self-esteem, and plays yo-yo with our waistlines. Instead of falling prey to the commercial hype, why not take a natural approach to weight loss, and in the process develop a healthier you? You may be thinking that the natural approach can't work for you, after all if it did you wouldn't need to lose weight, right?

Not necessarily

For most, a diet is a chore that we dread, but a change in attitude could be just the ticket to not only a better lifestyle, but also the weight loss that we desire. In actuality, the word diet is defined as food considered in terms of its qualities, composition, and effects on health. Weight loss is a secondary definition. That being the case, concentrating on eating to maintain health and well-being can be a catalyst for weight loss without the associated stress and disappointment that "dieting" normally entails. By adopting this attitude coupled with a regular exercise plan, you can take the sting out of the word diet, and still accomplish the ultimate goal of losing weight.

The majority of us learned about the four food groups (five if you count junk food) back in our grade school years. The infamous triangle with the recommended daily servings is actually a good guide to healthy eating as well as weight loss. Each of the food groups contains an element of either protein, fat, or carbohydrates, all of which are needed to fuel our bodies. The key is determining how much we need of each. Below is a guide to assist you:

• Protein - Protein contains nitrogen, an essential chemical that produces antibodies. Since the body needs nitrogen, protein generally converts to carbohydrates rather than fat. The chemical process initiated by consuming the right proteins helps boost the metabolism, thus burning more calories. Approximately 35% of our daily food intake should involve high quality protein.
• Carbohydrates - Consisting of complex and simple sugars, carbohydrates are broken down into sucrose once they enter the body. This sucrose enters the cells and produces energy. However, eating too many high glycemic carbohydrates will overwhelm the system with sucrose, converting into fat instead of energy. It is therefore important to balance your carbohydrate intake. Some high glycemic carbohydrates include potatoes, pasta, bread, corn, and other flour products. These foods should be eaten in limited quantities. Lower glycemic foods discourage the storage of fat and include most green vegetables and certain fruits. The ratio of high to low glycemic carbohydrate intake should be 20% - 80%, with an overall carbohydrate intake of 50%.
• Fats - Fats are broken into monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, and saturated. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered good fats and consist of olive and sunflower oils as well as fish. Combined, these fats should make up 80% of your fat intake. Saturated fats are the bad fats like hamburgers, cheeses and some milk, and should only make up 20% of your intake. Overall, total fat intake should be approximately 20%.

The information above provides the framework for planning meals and allows you to continue enjoying the things you like rather than living a life of restrictions. Remember to also incorporate a gradual exercise regimen that is safe and consistent so that your metabolism will work for you and not against you. The results you receive from modifying your attitude towards diet, as well as your eating and exercise habits will be rewarding and much healthier than any quick fix commercial solution.

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