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How do I Lose Weight Naturally?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

The best way to lose weight naturally is to get regular exercise and eat a healthy, balanced diet that is low in fats and sugars. There are myriad weight loss plans out there that require dieters to east certain foods while avoiding others, eat certain food combinations, or even go through periods of near-starvation. These programs may lead to weight loss, but that weight loss is usually short lived. As soon as the dieter returns to normal habits, the weight that was lost is likely to return.

The same is true for diet pills. Diet pills are used to raise the metabolism and reduce one's appetite. Just as with fad diets, these weight loss products will usually lead to weight loss that is followed by weight gain as soon as the dieter stops taking the pills. It is important to remember that many diet pills are unsafe and can cause health problems or even medical emergencies.

Barley can help with weight loss.
Barley can help with weight loss.

Instead of using diet pills, for those who want to lose weight naturally there are some natural products that can help to boost the metabolism. Cayenne pepper, for example, is believed by many herbalists to boost the metabolism. As such, cayenne pepper may be used, along with exercise and a healthy diet, to help lose weight naturally. Cayenne pepper can be mixed in with tomato juice or blended with water and lemon juice.

Skipping junk foods can often help a person lose weight.
Skipping junk foods can often help a person lose weight.

One of the most popular ways to lose weight naturally is to follow a diet that consists mainly of vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains. The more colorful and varied the vegetables the better, as depth of color is usually an indicator of how rich a vegetable is in vitamins and nutrients. Lean meats include skinless chicken or turkey, fish, and lean cuts of red meat. Whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, and barley are also good for dieters. Vegetarians who are trying to lose weight naturally can incorporate protein-rich legumes such as lentils and soy beans into their diets as well as soy-based products such as tofu.

Vegetarians trying to lose weight can incorporate lentils in their diets for protein.
Vegetarians trying to lose weight can incorporate lentils in their diets for protein.

While working to lose weight naturally, it is likely that the weight will come off incrementally instead of quickly as with fad diets. Even though it might be a slow process, this is the safest and most effective way to lose weight and keep the weight off. Also, the lifestyle changes involved in losing weight naturally often lead to a much healthier body and higher level of fitness. Be sure to speak to a physician before beginning any diet or exercise program.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

anon344447

Thanks for all the advice. I want weight loss, but I just have to find a program I can stick to.

bear78

@turkay1-- You need to see a doctor to have your hormones, blood sugar and metabolism checked. An allergy test might be a good idea as well.

There are metabolic conditions that can prevent you from losing weight naturally such as hypothyroidism, diabetes and slow metabolic syndromes.

Food allergies and intolerance of certain food groups can cause weight gain too. For example, I have trouble digesting wheat and yeast. Bread is like my worst enemy, it makes me fat and bloated. Simply cutting out bread, rice and pasta, and switching to quinoa has allowed me to lose fifteen pounds.

fify

@turkay1-- For how long have you been eating healthy and exercising regularly? It does take time, several weeks to a month for the weight loss to start. You won't lose in pounds, but in grams so you have to be patient.

My best friend is losing weight naturally with an organic diet. She only eats organic foods. I can't do it completely because eating organic is expensive. But she keeps telling me that the additives and hormones in regular foods make us fat.

I'm starting to believe her. I can't afford organic meat and cheese but I am going to farmer's markets more for organic fruits and veggies. I think you might benefit from doing the same.

candyquilt

I'm already doing all this and I can't lose weight! I want to lose weight naturally, I'm not looking for a quick fix but even the natural way doesn't seem to be working for me.

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    • Barley can help with weight loss.
      Barley can help with weight loss.
    • Skipping junk foods can often help a person lose weight.
      By: Justaman
      Skipping junk foods can often help a person lose weight.
    • Vegetarians trying to lose weight can incorporate lentils in their diets for protein.
      By: gitusik
      Vegetarians trying to lose weight can incorporate lentils in their diets for protein.
    • In order to lose weight, caloric input needs to be less than caloric output.
      By: sframe
      In order to lose weight, caloric input needs to be less than caloric output.
    • Losing weight incrementally is the safest method.
      By: Alexander Zhiltsov
      Losing weight incrementally is the safest method.
    • Tofu is a soy-based product that is high in protein and popular among vegetarians.
      By: Jiri Hera
      Tofu is a soy-based product that is high in protein and popular among vegetarians.
    • Avoiding foods that are high in sugar and calories can help people to lose weight.
      By: Maksim Shebeko
      Avoiding foods that are high in sugar and calories can help people to lose weight.
    • Drinking water alleviates dehydration and can help prevent overeating to aid in weight loss.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking water alleviates dehydration and can help prevent overeating to aid in weight loss.