Popular Weight Loss Questions :

Q. Why bother losing weight?
A. It makes life easier! You don't believe me? Then put 15 cans of baked beans into a bag and carry it around with you all day. This is the same as being 15 pounds overweight. The point of losing weight is to put this bag down and make life easier for yourself.

Q. Is alcohol bad for weight loss?
Alcohol contains 7 calories per gram, so it's nearly twice as fattening as carbohydrates or protein. In addition, alcohol can encourage us to eat high fat nibbles, or high fat desserts. This leads to extra calorie intake and can cause weight gain.

Q. Can I reduce or shrink my stomach?
Your stomach is a muscular organ and like any muscle it expands and contracts according to usage. So it stretches when it's full and returns to it's initial size when empty. However, it's not possible to permanently enlarge or reduce the size of your stomach by eating. There are various types of weight loss surgery that can reduce the size of the stomach, but these methods of weight control require close consultation with your doctor.

Q. Will I gain weight if I stop smoking?
Not everyone gains weight when they stop smoking. On average, people who quit smoking gain only about 10 pounds. You are more likely to gain weight when you stop smoking if you have smoked for 10 to 20 years or smoked one or more packs of cigarettes a day. You can control your weight while you quit smoking by making healthy eating and physical activity a part of your life. Although you might gain a few pounds, remember you have stopped smoking and taken a big step toward a healthier life.

Q. Is fast food bad for weight loss?
Yes, fast food is bad because it is usually high in fat. Many fast foods are fried in fat - even if they are heated up in an oven. Fast food is also high in calories. Indeed, the growth of fast-food outlets is believed to be a prime cause of obesity in the USA. However, no matter how concerned we are about weight and calories, it's difficult to give up fast food entirely. So if you enjoy fast food, have it occasionally but choose carefully. Choose salads and grilled foods instead of fried foods, and avoid the high-fat, high-calorie toppings, like mayo, ranch dressing and others.

Q. Is skipping meals good for weight loss?
No. Skipping meals does not help weight loss or dieting! Skipping meals leads to low blood sugar. This can cause sudden hunger pangs which can cause bingeing and/or food cravings. Either way, it's bad for weight loss. For example, diet-research indicates that people who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight than those who eat a proper breakfast. A good way of dieting, is to eat 4-5 smaller meals rather than 2 or 3 big ones. Why? It helps stabilize blood sugar and helps control your appetite.

Q. Will exercise make me more hungry?
Yes and No. Yes, exercise may increase your appetite to begin with but this is perfectly natural - after all, you are burning a lot more calories. However, as your body adjusts you should experience a decrease in appetite. Research shows that exercise actually lowers appetite for up to several hours afterwards. In addition, exercise creates a desire for carbohydrates (to replace lost energy) rather than fatty foods.

Q. I suffer from severe obesity. Can I really reduce fat and lose weight?
Yes! No matter how heavy you are, you can usually reduce fat and lose weight as easily as the next person. All you need to do is follow a sensible diet. For example, if you weigh 260 pounds, then if you follow a healthy weight loss diet for 12 months you should lose about 100 pounds. However, before starting, I strongly recommend that you discuss the matter with your doctor, who can advise you about exercise as well as local support services. Good luck!

Q. Is breakfast important for weight loss?
Yes. Eating a regular breakfast does help weight loss. Having burned about 450 calories while sleeping, your body NEEDS breakfast! So make time! Breakfast is good for weight loss. Spend 10 minutes eating cereal, some fruit and a fat-free yogurt. And take a banana and a wholemeal sandwich to work. Lose weight by eating good food, not by starving yourself and then eating doughnuts! According to research data compiled by the US National Weight Control Registry, eating a regular breakfast is one of 4 habits shared by long-term successful dieters.

Q. Can I reduce fat from specific areas of my body?
No. It's not possible to target weight loss. Your body decides where to lose weight. No matter what exercise you do, or diet plan you follow, it is entirely up to your body to decide which fat cells get burned off. Some people first lose fat from their face; others lose weight from their arms. It all depends on your unique body chemistry. Exercising a particular area of your body can improve muscle tone, and it can improve the look and shape of the area, but it cannot remove deposits of fat. Liposuction is the only method of removing fat from a specific area, and even this weight loss surgical procedure is strictly temporary unless you modify your diet. Because as soon as your old eating habits return, so will the fat!