12 Sep There are no quick fixes when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off

“Fasting” diets, cleanses, colonics, protein heavy diets and other fast-fix weight-loss plans all guarantee great benefits.
However, any rapid weight loss diet that promises incredible results will usually end with the person gaining the weight right back, or packing on even more pounds than before.
In the case of dieting, most experts agree that this age-old adage is accurate: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
So don’t be fooled by gimmicks and fads.
Weight loss takes time, patience and dedication, but if you go about it the right way the fat will come off and stay off.
The only guaranteed way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat healthy foods, get regular exercise, and keep track of your calories.
Weight management comes down to burning more calories than you take in.
Colonics and-or cleanses are sometimes beneficial for medical reasons, such as testing foods to find an allergy or prepping for a surgical procedure, but studies show they may actually hurt you if done for dieting reasons.
If you really want to detox your body, then eat whole, natural foods and cut out the processed foods.
Fasting actually sends the body into starvation mode, which signals the body to releases hormones that will slow down your metabolism, cannibalize the muscles and store fat. That messes up the metabolism.
Take control of your weight loss plan by focusing on eating a healthy diet and limiting portion sizes. You also need to exercise regularly.
It takes time and don’t be too hard on yourself if you have some slip-ups.
Remember that quick fixes don’t work, instead you need to find a healthy lifestyle course that you can stay on.
Read some cooking magazines or healthy cookbooks and find meals that you’ll enjoy. Find exercises that you enjoy doing and be consistent.
Being healthy doesn’t mean you can’t have fun anymore, or enjoy food.
But if you take time to really think about your diet and be smart about your food choices, it will pay off over time.

At Home Fitness consultant Aaron Dorksen’s blog deals with a variety of fitness topics, ranging from workout tips, motivational ideas and feature stories on how exercise impacts people’s lives. Consult a doctor before making any significant changes in your exercise routine or diet. E-mail him with comments, questions or ideas for future blogs at aaron@athomefitness.com