Along with exercise, eating a healthy diet is essential for losing weight. Some people try to go on extreme diets to lose weight, but this method is bound to fail, because it cannot be sustained over the long haul. If you cut too many calories, you may lose a lot of weight, but will regain it once you go back to your old habits. The best way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat a normal but healthy diet.
Step 1
Add more exercise to your daily routine. Aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five times a week or more. Recommended activities include hiking, jogging, aerobics and even yard work.
Step 2
Drink more water. Drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day can keep you feeling full, which may prevent mindless snacking.
Step 3
Reduce portion sizes, and avoid taking second helpings, which can instantly shave several hundred calories from your daily intake.
Step 4
Keep a food diary to track how much you eat and when. This may help you be aware of situations or times of day when you tend to overeat or eat "comfort food."
Step 5
Make substitutions to reduce calories. Instead of giving up your favorite foods, do substitutions to make your favorites healthier. For example, use whole-wheat pasta instead of regular white pasta, reduced-fat versions of cheese and ground turkey instead of hamburger.
Tips and Warnings
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Watch out for hidden sources of calories in your diet. For example, popular coffee drinks can contain as many calories and as much fat as a Big Mac.
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