Weight Patience

Shedding those first few pounds can be pretty exciting for anyone taking on a new lifestyle of eating.  It can also be a little depressing for others who don't seem to be making any progress at all with their weight.  So I say, "Be patient," and "Be positive."  After all, how long did it take you to put all those pounds on.  I wasn't overnight, maybe a few years or even ten years.  I guarantee you will lose it faster than you put it on!

Most people who start eating more calories through high volume, low-fat foods and are increasing their fiber intake might not see any results on the scale for 2-4 weeks.  For some it might be even longer. This is especially true for people who were eating so little calories, which trained their subconscious mind and body to hold on to the weight, or 'store fat.'  Once your body recognizes you are not going to starve it, it will begin to trust you and release the pounds.  As soon as those first few pounds melt off, they melt and melt!  I call it the hump. Once you've reached the hump, it's all downhill from there, with a few smaller humps.


Changing a person's metabolism takes about 6-8 weeks.  I thought this myself, "That is a long time." This doesn't mean it will take that long to start losing weight, but it does mean it will take that long to get the metabolism to start burning fuel faster, digesting, and eliminating it.  So be patient, trust the plan, and be positive.  A positive attitude can speed a metabolism faster than a negative attitude.  


Of course the scale is not the only way to measure your weight loss success.  A tape measure will show weight loss sometimes before the scale does.  You don't need to measure every part of your body, but a few measurements such as the waist and hips, are enough to see weight loss results.  As far as the scale goes, don't weigh yourself everyday.  This is a big mistake, usually causing depression, frustration and even fear.  Weigh yourself only once a week and do it in the morning before you put on heavy shoes and clothes.    


A friend of mine, who read my book "Slim Your Fat," has lost 6 pounds in just ten days.  Not everyone is going to lose this much in such a short amount of time.  Most people will lose only a pound or two a week, which is just about right.  A heavy person will lose more weight faster than a smaller person who only needs to lose 20 pounds or so.  Everyone's body is different, thank goodness.  Everyone has a different story, and everyone is unique.  Hallelujah!  Just be patient and have fun eating!

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