The weight-loss industry offers a variety of fad diets that promise fast results. Unfortunately, these plans rarely yield long-term weight management, because they severely restrict fats and carbohydrates. Severely restrictive diet plans are hard to maintain. Healthy and successful weight-loss plans encourage long-term lifestyle changes.
Healthy Weight-Loss Goals
Begin by setting healthy, workable goals. A doctor or nutritionist can help you assess your health and assist you in setting a target weight. Weight loss should not exceed 2 lbs. per week. With your doctor's or nutritionist's help, also assess your body mass index. This will help you develop an exercise plan.
Balanced Diet
Healthy food choices are critical to successful weight loss and weight management. A healthy diet consists of fresh vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and complex carbohydrates. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Guide Pyramid recommends using healthy oils such as sunflower or olive oil instead of saturated or trans fats.
Lifestyle Changes
Many dieters experience optimal weight-loss success by making key lifestyle changes. Meal planning and shopping can be critical to a successful program, because you restructure how you select food and when you eat. Spacing meals at regular intervals will reduce cravings and the impulse to cheat. Shopping from a thought-out list of foods and meals will help you avoid purchasing unhealthy foods that are not a part of your diet plan. Driving past the drive-through instead of going through it will help you avoid high-fat processed foods that can derail your diet.
Exercise
Physical activity is a key part of any healthy weight-management plan. You lose weight by burning more calories than you consume. As a result, exercise can improve your rate of weight loss, and once you reach your goal, regular physical activity will ensure that you maintain this healthy weight. If you're not physically active, begin by doing a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise per day. Increasing the length and intensity of your workouts will gradually improve your strength and endurance, resulting in improved health.
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