Originally published here: How To Lose Body Fat Fast

If you are trying to burn fat fast, you should know that there are many theories on how to lose body fat. That’s because everyone has a different body type, metabolism, and health needs, and what is right for you may not be appropriate for other people. So when you are trying to lose body fat with dieting and exercising, how do you know what will work?

Here are some general tips on how to burn fat fast and get fit. If you are just beginning to get serious about diet and exercise, try incorporating one or two of these ideas into your routines.

First, let’s talk about diet. The “d” word is scary to some people, but a diet is simply what you should eat to maintain optimum health. It doesn’t mean you eat only soup or only shakes at certain times a day. That’s dieting, and that doesn’t work very well in the long term for most people.

Instead, adopt a healthy eating plan and plan to build muscle. Eat foods that are low in fat, low in calories, and high in nutrients. You don’t need to buy special diet food. These often don’t work and can trick your brain into eating more than you need. Buy vegetables, fruit, lean meats, beans, and whole grains.

Always remember, you want to burn fat fast, but you also want to build a solid foundation so you can keep that fat off.

You can still have chocolate once in a while or a piece of cake. What is important is that the majority of food you eat is good for you. You can afford 200 calories of a treat. Don’t deny yourself special pleasures because you’ll be more likely to binge. Just give yourself a break and have a piece of candy if you want. You’ll be fine.

Replace some of the bad fats (some, not all – remember to let yourself have a treat now and then) with good fats. These come from fish oils, nut butters, olive oil, avocados, and more. Try eating smaller meals more frequently throughout the day. This will help you maintain your energy and keep you from overindulging because you’re hungry. Smaller portions are key in losing body fat.

You can also take a very simple step and have it make a big difference. Cut out as much simple sugar or processed foods as you can. Instead of soda, drink water. Instead of cookies, try a piece of fruit. In addition to helping you lose body fat, this will save you money too!

Oprah made the following tip popular: try not to eat for two to three hours before bedtime. This way your body has time to process the food before you sleep. This, I think, is up to your personal body type. It’s not a great idea to eat a huge meal and then go to sleep – you’ll feel uncomfortable. But some people need a small snack before bed. This is fine.

Not every rule will work for everybody. Something that does work for everyone, though, is drinking water. This is enormously beneficial for your goal of losing body fat and building muscle.

All the diets that promise to work miracles are trying to play on our hopes of having a better body. The only diet you really need to concern yourself with though is one that allows you to maintain sufficient energy and gives your body the nutrients it needs. You cannot lose weight without eating, so eat the right foods!

Exercise is the other answer to how to lose body fat. Like eating, you won’t burn fat fast without exercise. It won’t happen. You may occasionally lose weight, but it will be muscle lost, not fat, and that actually makes you less fit and less able to lose weight and build muscle. Here are some ideas to try with your exercise routine to gain mass and lose fat:

The most important tip is to move. If you don’t exercise, start. Take a walk. Lift some weights. You can really start that easy. If you have already started, do more. Make your routine more intense, faster, harder. Don’t let your body get used to what you’re doing because then it won’t burn as much energy. Always increase and improve your program. Do what you enjoy and make it a habit.

If you want to know how to lose body fat and get ripped fast, the answer is exercise. You need an exercise routine that allows you to build muscle mass and lose weight. A good mix is to do some cardio and some weight training.

Do interval exercises: this can be as simple as taking a walk and adding a few intervals of jogging. Or it can be walking on a treadmill for a few minutes, stopping to do some strength exercises and getting back to walking. Intervals help your body burn fat faster, and it’s a good way to exercise so your body doesn’t get used to the routine.

Everyone’s body works differently. Some people swear by doing a cardio workout for twenty minutes in the morning and eating small meals. Other people recommend an hour of cardio three times a week, and a half hour of weight training followed by a half hour of cardio three times a week, with a day off. A lot of how much you exercise will depend on how much time you have, but everyone can make at least a half hour available for something as important as exercise. You have to do it; there is no other way to effectively and safely lose body fat.

The easiest way to lose body fat and even to burn fat fast is to adopt a good, healthy diet and a safe exercise routine. This benefits all aspects of your life and will leave you looking and feeling better. You need a calorie deficit of about 3500 to lose one pound of fat. If you cut down by 500 calories a day and increase your activity level, you’re all set to lose a pound a week, which is a healthy and realistic goal.

It can be hard to know how to lose body fat. Figure out what works for your body. Eat the best foods you can and exercise. Also, work to do better, and you’ll have a body that is perfect for you.

To increase your odds of success dramatically, consider following a proven program like No-Nonsense Muscle Building Program.