Thinness is a cultural ideal for women. Even if you are already reasonably thin, you may still want to tone up and lose more weight. It is important to maintain a healthy body size, keeping your body mass index within the recommended range of 18.5 to 24. If you would like to lose a few pounds, make positive and healthy lifestyle changes.
Drink More Water
Drink more water if you want to lose weight. Drinking water is a good replacement for high-calorie beverages, such as soda and sweetened coffee drinks. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking eight to 10 glasses of water each day can also flush out your kidneys, reducing water retention.
Reduce Calories
Cut 500 to 1,000 calories a day to lose up to 2 lbs. per week. Losing more weight than this is not recommended. Do not cut your total calorie intake below 1,200 per day, though. Consuming too few calories could cause your metabolism to slow down and conserve calories, the opposite of what you want to happen.
Get Aerobic Exercise
Get at least 20 to 30 minutes of aerobic exercise every day. Choose activities that you will enjoy and want to do on a regular basis, such as dancing, going for a walk with friends or swimming. Increase your exercise if possible, up to 60 to 90 minutes on most days of the week.
Change the Foods You Eat
In addition to reducing your calorie intake, get your calories from healthy foods. If you eat complex carbohydrates, lean protein and fruits and vegetables, it will help to keep your blood sugar levels stable. When your blood sugar is steady, you may be less likely to crave unhealthy food and snack between meals.
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