Gaining Weight

This is your real problem. Not losing weight but gaining it is why we are faced with an obesity epidemic. Forget weight loss diets, you need a weight gain prevention diet.

But what about the excess weight you have now? Of course you have to lose weight, but it's how you lose it that can make the difference between keeping weight off and regaining it all back.

Lose weight and prevent weight gain at the same time, that's your goal.

Weight Gain
There are two types of weight gain...

Natural Weight Gain (age related)

As we age it's natural to gain weight. The main process involves a slowing of your metabolism due to a loss of muscle tissue. You know the old saying, "Use it or lose it."

This is why keeping your muscles toned and strong is so important. When muscle is tones, the nervous system constantly stimulates it at a higher rate. This means you need to expend more energy even at rest to keep the muscle tissue from becoming fatigued.

Flabby muscle has very little nerve stimulation at rest. This results in a slower metabolism and possibly weight gain in the future.

Bottom line...keep your muscles toned and strong and weight will not be an issue for you.

Weight Re-gain

This is weight gained immediately after dieting. It is inevitable unless you stay on the diet. Diets today promote fast weight loss so that you see and feel results in a short period of time. They get praised for doing a great job and you feel great about yourself.

Then the weight starts to creep back in and the scales begins a steady rise negating all your efforts a few weeks ago. But do you blame the diet? No. You blame yourself or your genetics for the weight re-gain now setting in. It's not your fault!

The diet you were on caused Diet Shock^TM. Your body went into shock during the diet and thought you were starving. So it set in motion a string of events that are causing the weight re-gain you're now experiencing.
The Weight Gain Solution
There are two things you must do when dieting...

Go Slow

First, go with a diet that doesn't push a lose weight fast program. Fast weight loss is the worst absolute thing you could do, if you want to prevent weight gain.

A basic rule of thumb is 2 pounds/week of weight loss is healthy weight loss.

Stay Low

Most dieters set their weight loss goals too high. Losing only 5-10% of your total weight produces significant health benefits.

Ease up on your goals for losing weight and you will have a better chance of keeping the weight off.

About the Author
Dr. Smith is the Chief Medical Consultant for Diet Basics, a cutting edge, original content based website. Dr. Smith's speciality is Keeping Weight Off! Visit him at www.Diet Basics.com