“Slow and steady wins the race”. This age old adage applies to losing weight as well; you should take it slow for a steady weight loss. On the other hand, if you try methods which will make you shed the extra weight rapidly, you might end up regaining the weight just as fast as you lost it. There are several other drawbacks associated with rapid weight loss methods. Therefore, in order to have long term benefits, the best weight loss methods would be the ones which help you reduce weight gradually.

There are several fad diets which, if followed strictly, can help you lose a considerable amount of weight within a week or two. However, as soon as you return to your normal eating habits, your body would replace the lost fat back. Therefore, a crash diet cannot help you because it is your eating habits which you need to change. It is always difficult to bring about a drastic change. Instead, you should start cutting back slowly. For instance, instead of giving up desserts completely, you should start with reducing the portion size. At the same time start including fruits and vegetables in your diet.

This way, you will start making healthy choices slowly which are easier to adopt instead of giving up your favorite food all of a sudden. Moreover, it helps you change your lifestyle as you will become used to your new habits gradually. On the other hand, fad diets only last for a few weeks after which you are quite likely to go back to your old lifestyle choices.

Another drawback of fad diets is the withdrawal symptoms you will experience upon replacing all the delicious food you love with something bland, such as cabbage soup, which fails to satisfy you. You might be enthusiastic about following it during the first couple of days, but after that you would find it difficult to overcome your cravings. At that point, it would be likely that you discontinue this difficult weight loss diet and return to eating even more than you did before.

This is because you would be making up for what you missed during your days alone with the cabbage soup. Therefore, the best weight loss method is to take one step at a time instead of give up every bad eating habit all at once. There are more chances of success with gradual weight loss.

A weight loss diet planned for rapid weight loss often deprives you of important nutrients. As a result, you become weak and debilitated. However, diets which help you achieve gradual weight loss do not lead to any nutritional deficiencies.

Therefore, do not be hasty and impatient when it comes to losing weight. In order to make long term lifestyle changes which will help you remain slim, try to lose weight slowly and steadily. Rapid weight loss can be achieved through a number of ways. However, these methods are often difficult to follow and do not guarantee a long term weight loss. Therefore, trying to lose weight gradually is a better choice as it helps you change your habits and lifestyle permanently.