Weird Ways to Lose Weight

For years, the American Council on Exercise has recommended physical activity and calorie moderation as the most effective weight loss solutions. While diet and exercise do work, many people are still in search of alternative methods. If you are frustrated with your lack of progress, you may be willing to try anything to achieve your goals, including some methods that may seem downright strange. Because these methods are controversial, do not attempt any of them without first consulting a physician.

High Fat Dieting

Typically, authorities such as the American Council on Exercise recommend a low-fat diet, rich in complex carbohydrates for their role as an energy source. In the 1970s, Dr. Robert Atkins challenged the conventional wisdom with his recommendation of a diet low in carbohydrates and high in dietary fat. Dr. Atkins argued that a high carbohydrate diet triggers an excessive release of the hormone insulin, which accelerates fat gain, and may lead to the development of type two diabetes. According to Dr. Atkins, severely limiting carbohydrate consumption lowers insulin production and forces your body to tap into stored body fat for fuel. Eating high amounts of dietary fat supplies an alternative energy source and further signals your body to burn fat, not carbs. As long as total calories consumed are below your daily expenditure, you should not gain fat while following a high fat diet.

Hypnotism

Although there is not enough evidence for hypnotism to be endorsed by authorities such as the Mayo Clinic, hypnotism is often used as a method to manage weight. Success on a diet has a lot to do with making positive lifestyle changes. Hypnotism aims to change behavior using the power of suggestion under an altered state on consciousness. By helping people make better choices, hypnotism may provide help to those trying to lose weight.

Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting (IF) allows you to moderate calorie consumption by going long periods of time without eating. Intermittent fasting can be performed daily, by eating only during a four-hour period in the evening, or fasting completely for one or more days during the week. Proponents of IF believe that controlled hunger is safe, offers numerous health benefits and can actually speed your metabolism. According to a study published in The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, lab animals put on an IF diet actually showed significantly improved health.