The journey to lose weight does not have to be difficult. Losing weight is about burning more calories than you consume. In order to lose a pound, you must burn 3,500 calories. Burning 500 calories a day will turn into a weekly weight loss of a pound. A healthy weight loss is between one and two pounds per week. Choosing whole foods, watching portion sizes, limiting alcohol and exercising will lead to weight loss.
Step 1
Eat whole foods. Choose foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains when planning meals. These foods will keep you full longer and will also keep your body fueled so you feel energized. Whole foods are low in fat as well as sodium and provide your body with essential nutrients.
Step 2
Plan your meals. Meal planning is important because you can keep track of your calories this way and can plan how much you will be eating. Also, meal planning will ensure that you have healthy foods to eat. Often times when there is no meal planned, you may grab fast food or make unhealthy food choices.
Step 3
Ditch the alcohol. Drinking alcohol will put on extra weight because alcohol contains empty calories. Calories in alcohol provides little to no nutritional value. Also drinking alcohol may lead to poor food choices due to impaired judgment. According to MayoClinic.com, too much of any kind of alcohol will result in increased belly fat.
Step 4
Break a sweat by doing aerobic activity. Doing aerobic activity will help to burn calories and shed body fat. The American Council of Sports Medicine recommends doing aerobic activity for 30 minutes, five days a week. Do activities that incorporate the entire body like swimming, running or kickboxing because the more muscles worked, the more calories you will be able to burn.
Step 5
Maintain muscle. Strength training is important because the more muscle you have, the more calories you will burn. Strength training will also keep your body burning calories after your exercise is over. Train the major muscles of your body in order to stay balanced in strength.
Step 6
Sleep. Be sure to get enough sleep as it allows your body the time needed to build and repair muscles. Sleep will also help energize your body.
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