Fast Weight loss means Losing Body Fat and that’s the Simple Fact.

For most of us who are somewhat overweight losing some body fat will not only make us look better, losing the belly etc but will also improve our overall health which when there appears to be an obesity epidemic worldwide has to be a good thing.

Fast or Quick weight loss plans can help you lose weight but will not give you the longer term results you need so consider fast weight loss as the first step on the long term weight loss ladder of success.

To achieve fast weight loss you need to take in fewer calories than you are burning off and that’s why some of the fast weight loss plans centre on fairly extreme methods of massive calorie reduction or "crash" diets, as they are better known. Many will result in a muscle loss in addition to the fat burned.

After the body has lost 2lbs of fat in a fortnight, which is considered to be the maximum and it, is then losing water and muscle if any further weight loss is recorded. It’s worth noting that "crash" dieting slows the body' s metabolism - the body' s natural reflexes kick in and thinking it’s in starvation mode it naturally conserves energy reducing weight loss.

In addition the body has lost muscle during this crash phase. Muscle burns calories and the more muscle, the more calories and burned. Crash dieting results in the double problem of a drop in metabolic weight and a drop in calorie burning muscle tissue.

 Understand the Principals of a Crash Diet

This means that many "crash " dieters are very prone to putting lost weight back on extremely quickly after coming off the crash diet. In fact many unfortunately end up putting on even more than they originally lost.

I does however have to be said that for many of us we need the physiological stimulant of a quick result to keep us on the path to long term weight loss and maintaining a better overall weight long term.

So crash diets do have a role to play and a place within the overall weight loss arena. But only if you go into it with your eyes wide open so to speak. Nothing replaces sensible weight loss of a period of time

 A gradual reduction in calories maintains muscle tissue, burns only fat and allows you to maintain a healthy lower weight going forward into the future

So how to reconcile Fast & Long-term term weight loss?

Well for those who crave a quick result ([possibly for a special event - wedding etc) or just for willpower issues - a crash diet has real advantages BUT its vital if you are planning on going that route and are Serious about a long term solution as well to be realistic.

Have a plan

Do the crash diet - get into that outfit for the wedding - give your self-esteem what it needs

BUT

Have a longer term strategy - get the buzz from feeling good, looking great but then get into a healthy diet plan that becomes a part of your lifestyle - exercise, the correct choice of foods, sensible portion control and then you can capitalise on the short term benefits you have received to ensure you get long term results.

That’s a winning combination. Remember a gradual reduction in calories maintains muscle tissue, burns only fat and allows you to maintain a healthy lower weight in the future.

By Sam Russell