Yes! Please do not starve yourself, unless you are on a hunger strike or planning to hibernate. The worst thing you can do is not eat. This way you slow down your metabolism. When you eat less often your body thinks it is famine and it will slow down the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates to store it for survival. You need to eat to live.
Do not cut calories, just the unneccessary ones
It is not about the amount of calories, but the source of it. If you consume a balanced diet, your source of calories will be balanced. This way you will avoid the excess and deficiencies (excess of fat, sugars, proteins, etc..). In order for your body to function you need to consume all the necessary nutrients, these include fats and carbohydrates, but healthy fats and carbohydrates. Avoiding trans fats, saturated fats, and refined sugars (fructose corn syrup, white breads, doughnuts, etc...) This will change your entire life and improve health. Also, avoid artificial sweeteners, as they are toxic and may trick you and make you crave more sugar. In other words, eat whatever grows out of the earth, walks on it, flies, or swims. May your weight loss be as natural as possible.
Quick weight loss start tips. How to quickly change your eating habits, and still eat what you love. Jumpstart your metabolism.
1. Switch to whole grains (whole wheat breads, brown and wild rice) This will provide you with fiber necessary for regularity and elimination of waste (which can clog your system and slow your metabolism)
2. Consume healthy fats. Eat fish (source of Omega-3), white meat chicken, seafood, nuts, seeds, avocados, olive oil, peanut oil, walnut oil)
Avoid: pork, for so many reasons, eggs, margarine (trans fats), sausages, bacon, fried foods (the worst). This will lower cholesterol and improve 0metabolism. Instead of margarine and butter try olive oil based spreads. Your skin will look beautiful too! Eating foods especially rich in Omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial (fish, walnuts).
3. Avoid high fructose corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. High fructose corn syrup is highly concentrated sugar in its simplest form. It is used up quickly by the body, leaving you unsatisfied, and craving more sugars. Instead switch to brown, or just regular cane sugar or evaporated cane juice. But the best thing is to eat fruits. They are filled with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, plus they contain fiber. You will feel happier, and healthier. Fruits, contain less calories per gram than high fructose corn syrup and just sugar. You will have more energy. Please, read the labels and ingredients on the back of the boxes in the grocery stores. High fructose corn syrup creates an excess and also gives you that feeling of blah!
Also, some other sweet alternatives are: agave nectar, stevia, molasses, as these are low in calories, but taste increadibly sweet.
4. Avoid soda drinks. These are very high in high fructose corn syrup, among other chemicals. These are such an anneccessary consumption which will sabotage your any attempt at weight loss. Instead, switch to mineral water, sparkling fruit juice drinks, or natural sodas. Yes, they do taste good! Another drink idea that will acctually increase your metabolism is GREEN TEA. It contains a compound called EGCG which speeds up your metabolism and it is a powerfull antioxidant (also, it is anti-aging). Coffee is just fine too, as it does come from a bean. Beans are good for you.
5. Get roughage! So important. This is fiber. It eliminates wastes, and makes you regular which is another key to losing weight fast. Foods high in fiber make you feel fuller longer and prevent you from consuming highly sugary foods. Eat vegetables, beans, and lentils. Nuts and seeds are a great source too. Important: avoid nuts and spinach if you have kidney stones!
If you can, buy in bulk as much as possible. Make sure your cereals contain fiber and no corn syrups.
