The key to successful weight loss for women is making a commitment to permanent changes in diet and lifestyle choices. Without committing to these changes, you might gain back any weight you lose, or get discouraged by unsteady weight loss. While weight loss may be beneficial, talk with your doctor before starting a diet and exercise plan if you have health problems.
Reduce Your Caloric Intake
The bottom line with weight loss is to take in fewer calories than your body uses. Stick with a healthy diet when you are trying to lose weight, focusing on fruits and vegetables. You can cut out a few hundred calories by eliminating high-fat foods like whole-milk cheese and fatty meats and replacing them with lower-fat options.
Eat Healthy Snacks
Eating healthy snacks when cravings hit can help a woman stick to her diet. Snacks shouldn't be eliminated, but make sure your snack food is healthy. Substitute high-calorie snacks like potato chips and nachos with fresh fruits like raspberries, which only have about one calorie per berry. Drink unsweetened iced tea instead of sugar-filled sodas and energy drinks when you need a boost during the day.
Play Sports
Take up a sport you enjoy, or one that you used to play. Sports, whether organized or recreational, help women burn calories and lose weight. Women who find gym exercises like running on a treadmill or using a stationary bicycle boring often prefer sports, and find them easier to stick with over the long term.
Aerobic Exercise
Perform aerobic exercises like running, jogging, swimming, dancing or jumping rope regularly as part of your basic workout routine. These exercises are extremely beneficial for helping women burn calories in a short period of time. For the most part, these exercises along with aerobic classes are easy to access through the gym, public park, community center or outdoors.
Stay Positive
Don't get discouraged if you don't exercise one day or overindulge in high-fat foods. While it may be a temporary setback, you can get back into your routine without seriously disrupting your diet and exercise plan. If you get discouraged, you may be more likely to slack off, making it harder to reach your goals. Try to stay positive about your diet and exercise goals, even when things don't go exactly as planned.
References
- "Women's Health"; Get a Lean Belly - Fast!; Travis Stork, M.D., Peter Moore; March 2011
- MayoClinic.com: Weight Loss Basics
- MayoClinic.com: Counting Calories: Get Back to Weight Loss Basics



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