Natural weight loss is the only way to lose weight long term and stay that way. Many people hope, and indeed expect, to lose weight fast. This is usually connected to a wedding or a party or a holiday. Or sometimes they are just tired of being unable to run for a bus, looking terrible and having a love life somewhere between minimal and zero. A few realise that being overweight can cause heart problems, type2 diabetes and a shorter life. Whatever the reason for wanting to lose weight, fast weight loss is not always a good idea.

There are plenty of fad diets and pills which will help you lose thirty pounds in three weeks. This may be worth doing as a one off for your wedding or holiday, but be aware that you are losing mostly water weight. You should also understand that your skin will not automatically tighten as you lose weight fast. Sags and wrinkles may appear, it is possible you will look worse than you looked before - only thinner.

If you do opt for a fast weight loss diet you will find that after losing weight in the first couple of weeks you will hit a plateau and your weight loss will slow down or stop. This is because your body has gone into starvation mode and slowed your metabolism to conserve energy. After a while you will probably decide you just cannot lose weight whatever you do. So you give up on the diet and the weight you lost comes back on again. Does that sound familiar? It will to a lot of people. In America 90-95 percent of people who have been on a fast weight loss diet gain the weight back. Two thirds of these gain it back within a year.

What you need is a lifestyle change, not a diet. You must set goals for your weight loss in the short, medium and long term. Expect it to take time and a little effort, but do it right and permanent weight loss will happen. First give up junk food, crisps, cookies, sweets and fizzy drinks. That means not just avoiding fast food outlets and candy stores but clearing your fridge as well. If there is junk food in the house you will eat it. So begin by removing the temptation.

Then you must eat more fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean meat and fish like mackerel. For some this may seem bad news, but remember going to a French or Italian restaurant for an anniversary or celebration? You probably enjoyed the food and that is what you will now be eating. Of course, don’t just fill up on pasta. Check out the Mediterranean diet on the internet and find delicious recipes for your healthy ingredients. You can even drink the occasional glass of wine with your meal. Do try to cut down on portion size, smaller plates is a simple answer, and drink plenty of water. That is all you need to think about regarding what you eat. Is this really a diet? No it is a lifestyle change.

A healthy diet and exercise are the two things that will help you lose weight. You can lose weight with diet alone, but it is faster and more healthy if you find time for regular exercise. This will tone your muscles and burn off calories at the same time. It can be fairly gentle if you prefer or more demanding if you like a challenge. There are many options depending on what you enjoy, walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, dancing or going to the gym are all excellent. Try to do a minimum of 30 minutes a day, more if you are able. Expect to lose 1-2 pounds a week - it is healthy weight loss and lets your body easily adapt to the change.

The only thing left is to set goals. Decide that you will lose at least 4 pounds in a month and celebrate when you do it. Then aim to have lost 12 pounds, or even 14 pounds, by 3 months from when you began. Celebrate your success once more. Have as your long term aim to lose 55 pounds in a year. You can do it. You have changed your lifestyle and now you are in control.