How To Safely Lose Weight
Posted on: 9 January 2015
It is no secret that people want to lose weight. In fact, about 50% of adult Americans say that they want to lose weight. The amount of weight loss will vary for each individual's needs and body type, but many people are looking for safe ways to lose weight. Here are some things you need to know about safely losing weight.
1. Avoid Extreme Diets
The concern about extreme crash diets is that they are not sustainable. You cannot live your entire life on smoothies alone. What happens is that you start a crash diet, restricting most foods and lots of calories and you will definitely see results. However, these results won't be lasting. Once you break and you start eating normal foods again, you might actually gain more weight than you did before. This is because you had recently put your body in starvation mode, so now your body thinks it needs to hold onto extra fat to help you survive the next starvation. Thus, you should avoid extreme diets.
2. Focus On Eating More Good Foods
One of the best things you can do to lose weight and stay healthy is to focus on eating more good foods. Instead of worrying about everything you can't eat, change your mindset to worry about eating more good foods. Fill your body with vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein and low fat dairy. Once your body is full of good, healthy foods, there won't be room for the junk. This will encourage your body to use good calories and not go into starvation.
3. Get Moving
Everyone knows that exercise is an important part of weight loss, but for many the thought of running a marathon, or even a 5K seems like torture. They start too big too soon. This is why it is important to just start small. If you are not currently active, then try adding more steps into your day and make a goal to run a mile. If you are already active, push yourself a little harder. If you go too big before you are ready, you will make yourself sick and lose motivation.
4. Be Realistic About Progress
Losing weight is not something that will happen overnight. Instead, you should plan on losing about 1-2 pounds a week. If you make these simple changes you can sustain your weight loss and lose weight overtime. It may not be as quick as what you would like, but it will be lasting, which is more important.
Before making any major lifestyle changes, consult with a physician or clinic, like Monticello Clinic, to get support and ensure that your plan is right for you.
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