So many people get frustrated when it comes to losing weight and keeping it off.
They are victims of "yo-yo" dieting.
How many times have you heard someone say, "I have tried just about every diet out there and nothing seems to work?"Or they might say, "I lost 20 pounds once but I gained all of it back plus some.
"Their first mistake is going on a diet in the first place.
You see, dieting implies that you cut back on your eating for awhile then resume your prior eating again once you obtain your desired weight.
It is far better to allow proper eating to become a way of life.
However, I want to take this a step further.
Permanent fat loss cannot be achieved by going on and off diets.
On the other hand, making proper eating and exercise a regular part of your life will guarantee that you will become a life time "fat-burning machine.
"The most important factor in turning your body into a "fat-burning machine" is to build as much lean muscle mass as possible.
Muscle is a bodybuilder's secret weapon for maintaining a low body fat.
I maintain a 7% body fat at 46 years old because I build my muscles as well as eat a proper ratio of protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
Muscle is like a furnace.
The more muscle you have, the more calories you burn, even at rest.
Even while you sleep, you will burn fat.
This is good news if you understand this basic principle.
Now I know that some of you reading this are thinking, "Oh no, I don't want to build big muscles like a bodybuilder.
" Well, relax; I don't mean to imply that you have to become a "muscle bound" bodybuilder.
Everyone has muscles in their body and when we build our muscles we increase our metabolism or our ability to burn fat.
With a greater lean body mass, you will also burn more calories during exercise.
Many people will mistakenly put their body in a "starvation mode.
"They will cut down drastically in their food intake and by doing this, not provide adequate fuel for their muscles.
Then without the lean muscle mass, they rob themselves of the "fat-burning" effect.
That is, they are no longer burning fat for energy.
This is a tragic mistake because as soon as they splurge on some junk foods or refined sugars they will immediately store excess fat and gain their weight back again.
It is a "chain reaction" so to speak.
In conclusion, the bottom line to being a "fat-burning machine" is to eat plenty of good, healthy foods throughout the day and also get enough anaerobic and aerobic activity throughout the week.
By aerobic activity, I am referring to "cardio" such as walking, running, cycling, treadmill, exercise bikes, etc.
By anaerobic activity, I am referring to exercise with free weights, machines, or exercises with your own body weight such as pushups, pull ups, crunches, lunges, etc.
I also want to add that you need to get plenty of rest.
I get by with around six to seven hours sleep a night.
I am a busy man and do not feel that I need to sleep for one-third of my life, which is what eight hours sleep would be during a life time.
But you do need to get enough sleep because your muscles grow during rest and recuperation.
For more information about proper eating for fat loss you can check out my e-book, "What in the World Are You Eating? at fictionwise.
com.