LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIETING!

Studies show that after losing weight, the majority of dieters gain the weight back, and sometimes even more than when they started! This is because when the human body suddenly takes in fewer calories and less fat, it goes into panic mode, telling the brain that it needs more food. As fat storage drops, so does the level of a hormone in the blood called leptin. When leptin dips below a certain level, it triggers an increase in appetite. If you're on a restrictive diet, your body feels threatened and will work against you.

So how can you lose weight if you're not supposed to "go on a diet"?

1. Eat the correct number of calories. When you joined All About You! Wellness BootCamp, we calculated your safe calorie intake for weight loss. Stay in the range to lose weight safely , effectively and permanently. Don't fool yourself into thinking that if you starve yourself by eating 500 fewer calories than we recommend that you'll lose the weight faster. It will backfire! On the other hand, you can't go over your calorie limit on a consistent basis either, or you'll end up gaining weight.

2. Listen to your body's internal cues. If you slow down and really listen to your body, you can learn to eat the right amount of food. Don't eat just because it's there or just because other people are eating. Eat slowly enough that your brain will recognize when you are satisfied. Stop when you know you've had enough.

3. Get full on fewer calories. Eat tons of vegetables and fruit, which will fill you up with very few calories, but make sure they're part of an overall healthy diet, including whole grains and lean protein.

4. Exercise 5-6 times a week. Studies show that people who lose weight and keep it off exercsie at least 5 days a week. When they start to slack off by even one day a week, they stop making progress, or even start to gain weight back. Exercise is not a temporary weight loss tool. It is a lifestyle that you must maintain throughout your life for optimum health & well being. Strength training is especially important since it helps you preserve your muscle as you lose weight. Muscle is biologically active tissue that burns lots of calories and keeps your metabolism strong.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN: Tell us about your weight loss successes or struggles so that others can learn from your experience.