You've been slinking around the plus-size area of the mall the other day, desperately hoping you don't run into anyone who's seen you during those college tabletop dancing days, when you hear a hushed conversation by the lingerie section. To your shock, you see that it's an old classmate of yours, the one who always got the too-much-pizza jokes back when you were still freshmen. If not for the unmistakable twang and signature curls, you wouldn't have recognized her. She spots you lurking near the Spandex stand and cheerfully waves you over. You realize that what was a hushed conversation before she saw you was actually another former classmate of yours needling her into telling her what her secret was.

 

You fight the urge to roll your eyes (almost unsuccessfully) when your slimmed-down acquaintance smiles enigmatically and pronounces that there is no secret. "Weight loss is trial-and-error finally leading to success," she blathered on as you zoned out and thought of how she must be trying to keep the secret to herself. You politely excuse yourself and think nasty thoughts about your equally "nasty" former classmate. You've tried almost all the fad diets and miracle drugs in the market and have come up with more rebound weight that you're seriously considering a more invasive approach. Surely, she can't be right. Right?

 

The funny thing is, she is, in a way. If there was already a set formula for weight loss, then the country wouldn't be dealing with obesity issues at this day and age. As it is, several options have emerged, but success still depends on how a regimen reacts with an individual's unique physical makeup and metabolism. One has to realize that weight loss always entails a lifestyle change. Oftentimes, it is not the weight loss that is the hard part, but making sure that the weight stays off. It's frustrating enough to measure your weight progress, just imagine how it would feel if you gained it all back, double the amount with a cherry on top!

 

Most nutritionists say that weight loss is a numbers game. That's one very practical approach, when you think about it. Cut off a little amount of calories each day to make sure that you're at a deficit and you've got the ball rolling. Then, we've got the roster of NO and LOW diets - no-carb, low-carb, no-sugar, even high-protein ones. These types rely on tested methods and observations of how certain foods react with others when consumed. Again, it is best to remember that whatever diet you pick, it has to be something that you can stick with for a long period of time. Otherwise, you're bound for a yo-yo weight gain faster than you can say "Size 20 in Spandex!"

 

Written By: Jane Eslong - Staff Writer, www.TopUrlSearch.com