How to loose 20lbs and keep it off

Are you struggling with weight loss? Do you have a slow metabolism, hypo thyroid, an addiction to sugar and carbs or find that diets don't work for you?

If you are struggling with weight loss, as I have been for a number of years, and answered yes to all or any of the questions, the suggestions in this hub may help.

I have lost 20lbs in six months - the last ten of those was in the last 5 weeks. Whilst those numbers may not seem amazing, they are solid numbers and I am not "yoyoing" up and down, as I have in the past - despite four pounds going on over Christmas.

Changing how I eat as well as what I eat has been they key. I no longer have cravings for sweets and sugars, I have energy and noticeably less "down" days.

When I was younger, living in the UK, dress sizes were much simpler. Size 0 didn't exist. I averaged a small or size 8 for most of my young adult life and crept up to a size 12 (UK) in my mid thirties. By the time I came to Canada in 1996 I was back to a UK 10. However after I had my second child and developed hypo thyroid the weight began to pile on and I was exhausted as well.

I found myself obsessed with size and began to develop a really unhealthy relationship with food. The more I thought about loosing weight the more weight I seemed to gain and I began the unhealthy pattern of yoyo dieting. The following cartoon says it all!

There are many eating plans "out there" suggesting we eat for blood type, eat high protein, eat low fat - the world is awash with diet and eating plans. Truth is we all have different metabolisms but that may not be the only problem.

My weight loss success started after I consulted with a Naturopathic Doctor and discovered that: a) I had a wheat and gluten allergy and b) I was retaining water. This information helped me to adjust to an eating plan - not a diet - that is working for me. I had spoken to my medical doctor and a nutritionist prior to that but sadly neither were able to help, pointing to buying low fat foods and following the Canada Food Guide. That was killing me - literally!

I have since discovered that low fat foods are often full of sugars and other fillers which contribute to weight gain. Eating full fat foods does not have those same fillers and the fat stimulates our metabolism.

Identify how your body works - in other words what is the ideal calorie intake for your metabolism and how much exercise do you need to do to maintain a steady weight or weight loss.

Do you retain water? If yes, make sure you drink more (sounds counter productive but it works) and see if a lymphatic supplement such as lymphdiaral is helpful to stimulate water being held within the cells, rather than outside of them.

If you are tired all the time and bloated you may have a wheat and gluten allergy. Try reducing your intake of wheat and gluten and see what happens. If you feel better consult with a professional about adjusting your diet accordingly.

FInally examine, if you are constantly trying to loose weight unsuccessfully, your relationship to food. Do you have an emotional connection that leads to comfort eating? Have you created a routine of snacking or late night snacks? Do you spend 20 minutes a day walking or some other form of physical activity if not try to introduce that into your daily routine - it really will help.

Try and find a weight loss coach or friend who will cheerlead you on your journey and if you have a day or two where you don't follow your plan don't give up - after all making stops to scratch an itch are all just part of the journey.