5 of 10

Write now Article Tools

Obesity and overweight people are the result of a more sedentary lifestyle we lead in the 21st century as well as a lack of balance in our diets. With the growing number of fast food outlets that seem conveniently available in almost every suburb along with our addition to television, computers and electronic games there are fewer people out doing physical sports and exercising, and those who are seem to spend less time than they should. The weight loss industry is now a lucrative market worth billions each year while we as a society continue maintaining our unhealthy lifestyles with too much junk food.

Diets are only part of the solution because without regular exercise most are ineffective and some are even quite dangerous. With the exception of medical conditions, the fundamental principle of becoming overweight or obese is that far too many calories pass our mouths and we do far too little physical activity to burn off these excess. This is where some diets stake their success rates on keeping track of daily calorie intake.

Each different food product can be measured as calories, for example two pancakes with butter and syrup will be an intake of around 550 calories while one strip of celery is only one calorie. Becoming too obsessed with calories and strictly limiting intake will be damaging without a balanced diet and what some of these diets fail to take into account is that each of us are different in size and metabolic rate, that is; the bodies rate of processing food and turning it into energy, stored fat and waste products.

The 1000-calorie diet is a daily plan of meals the total of which do not exceed that amount. The danger of this diet plan is 1000 calories are insufficient sustenance over a long-term. Without knowing what your minimum requirement for your body size is, a limited calorie intake at this extreme is going to be dangerous.

It is not all bad news because a 1000 calorie diet plan over a period of three or four days is a proven and effective way to begin the process of reducing the volume of foods eaten and will help to shrink the stomach a little. Providing you drink plenty of water and make sure the diet plan takes in all required food types the 1000-calorie diet is the first step toward a permanent healthy eating habit resulting in a reduction of weight. There are numerous 1000 diet plans published over the Internet and a dietician can provide advice on the best methods that would suit your individual needs.

Overweight and obese people are a health risk to themselves and most got that way because of poor diet, over eating and too little exercise. For any diet to be fully effective you must burn off energy. If you work in a sedentary job such as an office you should plan some time to exercise at least half an hour each day. Do not overdo calorie restrictive dieting and be mindful of balance. The 1000-calorie diet should be considered only as a starting point and limited to a few days as a literal kick-start' into your new balanced eating and fitness plan.

Learn more about this author, Ian Loft.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about The 1000-calorie diet explained?
We want to hear your view. Write now!