Losing Weight the Healthy Way

Losing weight is more than just finding the "right" diet and exercise. It is  changing yourself from inside out.
This is why most people who are in a weight loss program hardly succeed. They do not approach weight reduction in a manner embracing their whole being but rather  respond to it by simply eating less, avoiding certain types of food and a little exercise. Making long term changes, the ones which contribute to your behavior and habits towards maintaining health is the core secret to losing weight and maintaining your new weight levels.
Successfully achieving your desired weight through a reduction program may need a overhaul of your eating habits and attitude towards food, behavior about health maintenance and lifestyle. The best way to start is to first understand what your body is capable of doing and how far it can go. Crash or fad diets never work so forget about them. Your body will only respond well if you introduce the changes gradually. The idea behind this is to set a realistic goal that is healthy for your body. This is the formula to fitness and appropriate weight loss.



How to keep those extra pounds away healthy and for a long time? Here are some practical tips for you:

•       Ask the support of your loved ones. Losing weight is much easier when your family and friends are behind you to support you all the way. This can also encourage your family to make the necessary lifestyle adjustments that are beneficial for all.
•       Watch what you are drinking! Juices, sodas and other drinks are all guilty of carrying too much calories so drinking them frequently would give you that love handles you hate most about. Stick to water, lots of it. Diet sodas and other sugar-free drinks will do also. Non-fat or low-fat milk is the best. By doing this switch, you can save 360 calories or more everyday.
•       Little and gradual changes are the way to go in reducing your weight. Your body wants it slow and small because it can easily adapt to these changes rather than making drastic moves that confuse your body. Start by reducing some portions to what you eat and stop unhealthy habits like drinking alcohol, sodas or smoking. If you have done that then you can make introduce healthier options to your body.
•       Keep check of your emotions and feelings. If you feel full, then stop eating. Do not eat just out of habit or just because you feel bored, upset, stressed or even if you are overly happy. What you can do is to opt for healthier activities like taking a walk around the block, attending your aero dance class or just making a trip to your gym.
•       Frequent meals but reduced portions are advised for dieters rather than indulging in three large meals in a day. Aside from this, try including in your diet healthier snacks such as vegetable sticks, a piece of fruit, pretzels, low-fat granola bar and other sugar-free snacks.
•       Fruits and veggies are the way to go to keep you fit and in shape. You are required to eat five servings of these healthy options everyday to avoid the piling of your pounds. There are three things you need and make them your regular choices and habits: 1) switch your white breads to whole wheat ones, 2) quench your thirst with water rather than sodas, and 3) eat your breakfast regularly. Start your day with a whole wheat cereal, low-fat milk and a piece of fruit rather than grabbing donuts and coffee.
•       Never go for fad diets just to shed off those extra pounds fast. Always go for the healthy diet and to do that you need to eat a variety of foods.  Also, avoid indulging in diet pills or even the herbal variety and make these your substitute for a real food.
•       A good balance in your diet also helps but never deprive yourself of your favorite cake. Your tendency will be to crave for them and eat more of them if you get the chance. What you can do is eat your favorites but in your next choice of food, choose the much healthier ones.
•       Be active. You do not have to enroll yourself to an extraneous activity or sport just to lose those pounds. Even as simple as walking in the park can reduce your weight and make a difference in your health. What is important is the regularity of the exercise and not the kind of exercise you do.
•       Combine your movements and exercises with weight training. You need to know that muscles burn more fats so keep that muscles toned. If you are really serious about your exercise regimen, consider combining strength training with aerobics workout and flexibility exercises.
•       Be forgiving to yourself. Losing weight is not an easy task. Slip ups are bound to happen. The right attitude towards this is to forgive yourself, brush your teeth, forget about it and go back right on track.

There is no magic formula to lose weight. This is achieved by a great deal of discipline and sacrifice from you. The only thing you have to do while in your weight loss program is to take it easy and be patient and you are on your way to a healthy tip top shape.