Popular Methods For Losing Weight

Being overweight and wanting to lose that excess weight are universal. Popular methods that Americans use in the effort to lose weight include taking diet pills and partaking in exercise programs. Eating according a weight loss plan that eliminates a specific type of food or food group is another widely used approach. See your doctor to discuss the best method for you to lose weight.

OTC Supplements

Many brands of over-the-counter weight loss supplements can be purchased from drugstores or even your local supermarket. The vast majority of them have never been proven effective, and according to the Mayo Clinic, some may even be dangerous. Because supplements do not withstand the stringent testing that is applied to prescription drugs, products can be sold without proof of effectiveness and are only monitored by the FDA once on the market. Some OTC products that are likely to be safe are green tea extract and chromium. There is inadequate evidence to assess their effectiveness, but according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, green tea is likely to promote a degree of weight loss and help burn fat.

Prescription Pills

Prescription pills are a popular choice for those who have failed to lose weight through conventional methods. Prescription pills can help with your weight loss, but they are only likely to work if you are also willing to change your diet and increase activity levels. Your doctor is only likely to prescribe prescription pills if your BMI is more than 30, or your weight is causing a serious health issue, such as diabetes. There are safety issues concerning some types of diet pills; always make sure that your doctor has prescribed these pills specifically for you. Never take another person's prescription.

Exercise

Many Americans turn to exercise as a method of losing weight, but according to a 2009 article in "Time" magazine, exercise alone is unlikely to be the solution, and it can also be counterproductive if you succumb to hunger pangs and overeat after exercising. Dr. John Pillinger advocates making gradual changes and slowly increasing activity levels in combination with eating fewer calories for sustainable weight loss. If you do not want to join a gym, increase your activity levels by walking rather than driving and using the stairs instead of the elevator.

Low-Carb Diets

Low-carb dieting became popular mainly due to Dr. Robert Atkins who introduced his "Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution" in the early 1970s. A low-carb diet severely restricts the use of grains, fruits and sugary foods, but high-protein and fatty foods, such as meat, fish and cheese, can be eaten in large quantities. The body primarily uses carbohydrates as its fuel source; but in their absence will burn fat for energy. Although a low-carb diet is likely to aid weight loss, at least during the initial stages, it can also cause unpleasant side effects. These include bad breath, fatigue and nausea.

Volumetrics

Dr. Barbara Roll's "The Volumetrics Eating Plan" has been on the bestseller list for "The New York Times." The diet is based on eating low-energy dense foods, such as soups and salads, in place of higher density foods, like cheese or meat. Foods with low-energy density have fewer calories per gram, and therefore, can be eaten in larger quantities without promoting weight gain. Rolls found that people who ate a large soup or salad as part of their meals, typically ingested around 12 percent fewer calories by the end of the meal.