Physical And Mental Social Issues In A Holistic Weight Loss Plan

Addressing various issues by taking a holistic approach can help individuals lose weight in a healthful manner. A combination of behavioral changes, such as increasing fruit and vegetable intake, increasing physical exercise, decreasing consumption of energy-dense foods and those that are high in sugar, and decreasing hours watching television can help you make moderate changes to improving your lifestyle. Making small lifestyle changes has proven to help individuals maintain a healthy weight and is a step in the right direction to losing weight. Before lifestyle, diet and exercise regiment changes, consult a primary care physician.

Physical Activity

A regular physical exercise regiment that is easy to follow can help individuals create a program that helps maintain and lose weight. An exercise plan should be a steady, consistent weight loss program that supports eating a balanced diet. Experts recommend losing ½ to 2 lbs. weekly. A primary care physician can help tailor an exercise plan to fit an individual's needs, characteristics and lifestyle.

Dietary Issues

Look for diets that reduce calorie intake but do not forbid certain food groups, such as crash diets that sabotage calorie-burning potential. Skipping breakfast, eating quickly, eating when you are not hungry and always cleaning a plate may be patterns of behavior to track. Eating lower calorie and low-fat favorite foods is a way to make a small adjustment to any diet. Including plenty of fruit and vegetables, which contain essential vitamins and minerals essential to the body's function, is a good step in the right direction to lose weight.

Tracking Behavior

Making a list of usual food intake and triggers for unhealthy eating habits is a way to track patterns of behavior and make more healthy choices to replace unhealthy habits. The USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion has created an interactive tool replacing the food pyramid with a plate to represent a healthy diet. Individuals can track food intake, assess nutrient intake and monitor workout activity (mypyramidtracker.gov).

Mental Attitude

Making a conscious effort to pay attention to behaviors that lead to unhealthy eating behaviors can help promote change. Self-awareness puts the change at the forefront of your mind. Make moderate changes, like taking a daily walk. Ask what can be done to avoid unhealthy eating habits. Mental change could involve intentionally avoiding routes that include fast food restaurant chains.

Social Behavior

Your weight loss program should provide ways of dealing with social gatherings during holidays, changes in work schedule and your own personal motivation, injury or illness. Make adjustments, such as bringing a snack to a gathering or choosing fruits and vegetables. Surround yourself with support. People who encourage your efforts to make healthier eating choices can help you stay on task. Join a support or online group for additional support. Peers working toward losing weight may help to hold other peers accountable to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.