Lose Weight Slowly and More Easily!
| Published: 24th January 2008 15:50 |
Lose Weight Slowly and More Easily!
It's really no use going on fad diets or diets that are difficult to stick to for more than a few weeks. The real secret in losing weight and keeping the weight off is healthy eating for the long term.
Be logical, if you go on these short term diets you'll just put the weight back on again.
Maybe you've already done that. More than once?
A gradual weight loss of one to two pounds per week is a good target. Don't rush it!
Before you start, think about why you want to lose weight:
Now think about what might be making you overweight:
Think about the answers to those questions. You have to make some changes that are going to be permanent ones or you'll put the weight back on. That's not suggesting a life of total abstinence, but it's saying you need to make some permanent changes or you'll be back to square one again.
Now for the nasty stuff! If you do some exercise, that will help you reduce your weight and at the same time increase your fitness level. Don't think you have to start running, jogging or join a gym. You need to find something that suits you and fits your lifestyle. Lots of people really enjoy exercise once they get started.
The key to weight loss is a balanced approach:
1. Don't think DIET!
That word should be banned from the English vocabulary. It suggests abstinence and pain! Think healthy eating, that's positive.
2. Set yourself a realistic target and don't give up if you have a bad day or a bad week. Start again!
3. Eat when you're hungry, eat slowly and STOP when you start to feel full.
4. Don't skip breakfast! It sets you up for the day.
5. Plan healthy meals for the week ahead and make a list of what you need to buy. If you don't, you'll be raiding the fridge or the cupboards and eating anything you can find.
6. Try out new recipes and choose foods that are easy to find and prepare- fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will fill you up with fewer calories. Checkout celebrity recipes from the NHS website.
7. Aim to have three healthy meals and a few planned snacks per day, and watch your portions. 
8. Don't shop when you are hungry. Take your list of the food you need for the next few days.
9. Vary what you eat so you don't get bored and make sure you include foods from all the major food groups. Check these out on the health section of the BBC website
10. Drink plenty of water throughout the day and with meals. Read about water and how important it is on the BBC website.
11. Stay motivated - different things work for different people here's a few things to consider:
- Get friends and relatives to either join you or help support or maybe sponsor you for
- go for a 30 minute walk at least 3 times a week
- go for a swim, it's one of the best forms of exercise
- join a club like Weightwatchers if you don't have time to go to a meeting you can join online or check out the Slimming World website.
12. Allow yourself an occasional treat! Remember a little of what you fancy does you good! If you don't treat yourself you'll get bored and give up.
Now, what are you waiting for?
Useful websites
NHS website gives lots of information about losing weight healthily and there's videos, tools to check your BMI and lots more.
Weightwatchers website gives you lots of information about losing weight, recipes and you can find your nearest local group.
Slimming World website also has lots of useful information and recipes.
BBC website has lots of information about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
