Practically everyone will make an effort at some point in their life to lose weight. Despite our understanding of the benefits of good nutrition and regular exercise, more often than not, what should be a relatively easy thing to do, can be easier said than done.
No matter what your age, before embarking on a program to shed those extra pounds, see your doctor or primary caregiver first for a checkup. This is to rule out any underlying medical condition that may be manifesting itself as weight gain. Once you've got a clean bill of health, it's time to start counting calories!
Or so you thought! The reason most people fail to achieve their dieting goals is because they fail to embrace minor changes in lifestyle.
Weight loss is about change; and often minor, subtle changes can make dieting simple and trouble-free. Everyone knows that in order to lose weight in the first place, you must reduce your intake and increase your output. The process really needs to begin with a painless change in your eating habits:
1. Consume lots of wholesome, fresh fruits and vegetables.
2. Eliminate processed or fast foods altogether.
3. Reduce portion size to recommended portions - a half cup of pasta instead of a full cup or more.
4. Eat 5 to 6 smaller meals per day to spread out your intake and stabilize blood sugar levels.
5. Avoid skipping meals or shopping just prior to a meal.
6. Reward yourself with a small treat occasionally!
Balance your diet with regular exercise, which should include a combination of aerobic and resistance activities for 30 to 60 minutes per day. You can even try working your exercise into normal daily activities, such as taking stairs instead of an elevator, riding a bicycle to work and back and so on. Even doing housework burns calories!
If you're accustomed to exercise or really out of shape, start out slowly for about 10 minutes twice a day and gradually increase the time to allow your body to adjust to the new activities. More importantly, don't set unrealistic goals or expect shrinking waistlines overnight!
If you pace yourself and are persistent, you'll find that taking off the pounds and getting back into shape is actually straightforward to do. Don't allow what should be an easy and uncomplicated weight loss program to become overwhelming!
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