Nowadays, we're all about instant gratification. We want what we want, and we want it now. This is also true when it comes to weight loss. But is rapid safe weight loss really possible?

It depends on your definition of the word "rapid." For one thing, rapid weight loss will get you nowhere if you gain everything you lost, plus more. Your goal in losing weight should be to keep the weight off, not just to lose it.

But, you might be surprised to find that rapid safe weight loss can be possible. Just how quickly you can shed pounds will depend on a variety of factors.

First, the more overweight and out of shape you are when you adopt healthy eating and exercise habits, the faster you will lose weight. Conversely, weight loss will slow down a bit as you near your fitness goals.

Second, eating right and learning to exercise right can help you achieve rapid safe weight loss. It's actually quite easy to do, but you must be dedicated to applying the principles of proper nutrition and exercise. Here are some things you can do to bring about rapid, safe weight loss.

1. Eat Properly

Eating properly doesn't just mean cutting calories, and in fact, you should not focus on calories at all. Eating properly requires that you consume nutritious foods with the right balance of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Neither low fat nor low carb regimens will provide your body with what it needs, and they often leave you hungry and undernourished. These kinds of regimens work against your body. Eat to work with your body to achieve safe weight loss.

2. Eat Often

For rapid safe weight loss, it's important to eat smaller portions several times a day. If you do this, you can stave off hunger and keep blood sugar levels even. You will find that you eat less, even without counting calories. As an added bonus, since you're eating highly nutritious foods, you'll be well nourished even if your total calorie intake decreases.

3. Drink Plenty of Water

Your body can't metabolize fat without water. Suboptimal water intake causes the kidneys to work inefficiently, forcing the liver to take over its detoxifying functions. The liver is responsible for metabolizing fat, but it can't perform this function if it's doing the kidneys' job too!

Thirst can also be mistaken for hunger. Many people fail to realize that their bodies are actually asking for water, not food. Eating when you're not hungry leads to excess consumption of calories, which will inevitably be stored as fat.

4. Exercise Right

To achieve rapid safe weight loss, use resistance training to increase the ratio of muscle to fat tissue. Muscle burns fat even when you're not active. Cardio exercise is fine, but it won't make you lose fat fast. Cardio exercise does burn calories while you're exercising, and keeps your metabolism elevated for a little while after exercise, but this is really just a short-term effect. Building muscle tissue will provide you with a lasting solution to the metabolic doldrums and keep your body burning calories all day long.

If you follow these simple principles, you can achieve rapid safe weight loss. If you are very out of shape, you'll find that you see results in just a week or two. The closer you get to your ideal weight, the harder you'll have to work to achieve fat loss. But, don't get discouraged; eating right and exercising right are a surefire path to a sleeker, fitter you. By the time you are close to reaching your goals, you'll be an expert in proper nutrition and exercise, and you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your hard work will result in permanent weight loss.