Many of us want to lose weight fast, and some of us succeed, only to put back those pounds and more a month or so later. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to make changes in diet, exercise and attitude that last a lifetime. This doesn't mean you have to count every calorie or carbohydrate for the rest of your life, but you do have to adopt a healthier outlook on what you eat and how you treat your body.
Step 1
Lose weight slowly, without crash dieting or starving yourself for a few days or weeks. Health experts suggest that individuals lose no more than two pounds a week which will give you time to become adjusted to healthier eating habits. You may find that once you adjust your calorie intake that you may lose a little more one week, or a little less the next, but the pounds will come off and stay off if you follow this simple rule.
Step 2
Exercise every day. While you don't have to make a lifelong commitment to go to the gym every day, you should try to get a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise on a daily basis. This will ensure that you maintain a strong metabolism (the rate at which the body burns calories for fuel) that will encourage lean muscle mass and discourage fat. Enjoy your exercise. If you don't want to workout indoors, select outdoor exercise such as walking, jogging, or even sports. For those who enjoy indoor pursuits, try swimming, aerobics classes or the gym, or watch televised exercise shows or purchase exercise DVDs that offer dance, step aerobics, weights, or cardio workouts.
Step 3
Reduce the number of calories you eat on a daily basis. By just cutting out 300 hundred calories a day, you can lose 1 to 2 pounds a week, and before you know it, you'll discover that you're more than satisfied with smaller serving portions. Portion control is the key to losing weight, not counting every calorie or fat gram you eat. Treat yourself once in a while so you don't start to feel deprived, but limit high fat or high calorie foods like pizzas, fast food, designer coffees and desserts.
Member Comments