Steps to Lose Weight

Losing weight is a continuous battle for many dieters. No one formula is right for every person, but there are steps that can be taken to ensure the loss of body fat and weight. Losing weight involves burning more calories than what is consumed during the day. Therefore, if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle, more exercise and effort is necessary to lose weight.

Step 1

Eat healthy foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables. Losing weight involves changing dieting habits. You don't need to starve to keep the pounds off, but planning meals with healthy foods is the only way the weight will come off without a struggle.

Step 2

Exercise at least three times a week for 30 minutes. Exercise not only helps you lose the weight, but it also tones the muscles. More muscles burn fat even while sleeping, so it makes weight loss easier. Mix up cardio with some free weights for maximum results.

Step 3

Speed up the metabolism by eating several healthy, small meals a day. When you starve or skip meals, the body stores fat. Eating several small meals a day speeds up the metabolism, and lets the body know food does not need to be stored, but rather burned for energy.

Step 4

Keep a food diary that counts calories and monitors food intake. A food diary helps you keep track of calories eaten, so you know how many calories you've consumed in comparison to how many you've burned.

Step 5

Set realistic goals. A healthy goal is to lose 1-2 pounds per week. Unrealistic goals cause frustration, and can lead to the dieter quitting. It can also lead to fad dieting and starvation, which can ultimately lead to weight gain when returning to normal eating habits.

References

Article reviewed by Mary McNally Last updated on: Nov 6, 2009

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