by : Jason Conley

The way your metabolisms works is largely based on how you eat. It only follows then that if you change the way you eat, you can change your metabolism. Fat loss eating plans are not a new concept. There have been hundreds or thousands of diet plans that tell you exactly what to eat, but if you've ever tried a no carb diet, or a no fat diet, or if you've ever been desperate enough to try the grapefruit diet, then you know they are not a long term solution for most people. It seems that everyone has a different opinion on how to lose weight, but there are a few things that almost all experts agree on. When you are on a fat loss eating plan, you must do several things. You must eat four to eight meals a day. You must drink lost of water, and you must start now.

One big mistake people make when tying to lose weight is cutting the amount they eat. They skip meals, and then wonder why they aren't losing weight. The truth is, skipping meals is one of the worst ways to lose weight. By skipping meals, you are putting your body into "starvation mode" and it will try to store as much energy as it can. Of course the way the body stores energy is as fat. By eating small meals throughout the day, you keep your metabolism high because it takes energy to break down the food. Frequent meals also help to regulate your insulin levels. Excess insulin can lead to increased fat. When selecting your fat loss eating plan, be sure it recommends four or more meals a day.

This doesn't mean you can eat unhealthy foods all day. You will still need to eat the right foods, foods that have been determined to be easy for your body to metabolize fully. Because these foods are easy for your body to convert into energy, it will break them down quickly.

Another mistake people make is not drinking enough water. Drinking more water does several things. First, it keeps you from retaining water. Much like skipping meals makes your body retain fat, not drinking water makes your body retain the water that it does get. Drinking water also helps you feel full. If you drink a glass of water before eating, you will fill fuller faster. Water is also necessary for your kidneys perform properly. Good kidney function is important to weight loss because if the kidneys can't perform efficiently, the liver has to help them out. If the liver is busy helping the kidneys, it can't perform its task of converting stored fat into energy. If you haven't been drinking enough water for a while, it will take your body a few days to adjust. You may find yourself heading for the restroom a lot.

As your body adjusts, you will not have to go as often. Any fat loss eating plan should include lots of water, as much as a gallon a day for men, and three quarts a day for women.

A final mistake for people wanting to lose weight is procrastination. On Thursday, you'll start after the weekend. On Monday the gang is going out to lunch. On Wednesday, you'll wait one more day. On Thursday, you'll start after the weekend. When you realize that in less than two of those cycles, less than two weeks, you could be 11 pounds lighter, you may decide that it isn't worth putting off. The only way you are going to make a dramatic change in your appearance and in your life is to start today. Next month, don't look back and wish you had started losing weight a month ago. When looking for a fat loss eating plan, select one that is easy to use and follow so you don't have an excuse for putting it off.

With all the fat loss eating plans available, it is important to select one that uses scientific principals, not just the latest fads. If the plan you are considering doesn't recommend a variety of foods your body can easily metabolize and drinking plenty of water, you need to keep looking. If the plan is so complicated you keep putting off starting, then you need to look for another plan, one you can actually follow.

Anyone can lose weight regardless of genetics. It just takes a good plan and the desire.