Taking a holistic approach to weight loss is the healthiest and most effective way to keep weight off. Without a balance of a positive mindset and physical considerations, when it comes to diet and exercise, people are likely to have issues for the rest of their lives. Quite a few demands are placed on the human body, so keeping it at optimum functioning levels is critical, and this means maintaining a healthy weight. "Creating a healthy, lean body depends on how well each individual woman's body copes with the demands on it," states Marcel Pick, OB-GYN on the Women to Women site. "This is highly individual."
Accept Yourself
Stop viewing a diet as doing without something you want and setting yourself up for failure. Instead, you should accept who you are and nurture yourself everyday. Regardless of what you weigh, find a way to be good to yourself. According to Dr. Jane Mountrose, author of "The Holistic Approach to Eating: Lose Extra Weight and Keep it Off for Life," once you learn what your body needs, you will eventually achieve the weight that is ideal for your body.
Only Eat When You Are Hungry
Rather than eating out of habit, pay attention to the cues of hunger. Eat when the body is hungry, but don't wait until you are ravenous. "You don't want to eat every time you have a little twinge of hunger," states Dr. Mountrose. "But when you have a healthy hunger, your body is telling you that it is time to eat." On the flip side, don't eat when you're not hungry. If you have a habit of emotional eating, find something else to fill the void.
Balance the Body, Mind and Emotions
Taking a whole body, or holistic approach, develop a fitness program that works for you. A basic exercise program of a half hour to an hour each morning will stimulate all functions in the body and help keep them at optimum functioning level. A brief workout later in the day will aid in digesting your food. If you find an exercise program you enjoy, you are more likely to stay with it.
Aim for Quality Over Quantity
Instead of cutting back on food prices, stop buying inferior products that are loaded with cheap fillers. A better choice is to purchase high quality vegetables and other foods that promote good health. Make quality choices in other areas of your life, as well, including personal purchases and activities. Spending more on healthy options will give you a better sense of self and help you make valuable choices in what foods you eat.
Live With Intention
"Don't let other people control what you eat," Dr. Mountrose advises. You are in charge of your life, so don't allow advertisements, family members, friends or anything else to be the final determining factor in how you take care of yourself. This includes not allowing the scale to determine whether or not you have been successful with your diet. If you must weigh yourself, don't do it more than once a week. Feel good about who you are right now and make a conscious decision to eat healthy, exercise regularly and live a high quality life.
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