I saw a commercial for a diet product that advertised “Lose 5 pounds in the first week!”. Although you might lose 5 pounds in the first week it will not be 5 pounds of fat. Most of it will be protein, stored carbohydrates (that you need for energy) and water. How do I know? Look at the math. One pound of fat is about 3500 calories, so 5 pounds would be 17, 000 calories. That would be 2500 calories per day for the week. Considering that the average person eats about 2000 calories per day, they would have to go for a week without eating plus run about 5 miles each day. I guarantee you that diet plan won’t sell.
Most people have an unconscious eating range of ±500 calories per day. If you eat more or less than that you are either uncomfortably full or starving. If you can keep in that range and reduce your calorie intake by about 500 calories you will lose about 1 pound each week or about 50 pounds per year.
You don’t really change fat amounts quickly. You didn’t get fat overnight so don’t expect to lose it overnight. Keep your weight loss plan easy on yourself or you will give up. And remember not to get taken in by the hype.
