There are three basics to losing weight:
Being more active can be as simple as taking a walk every day around the block or up the street and back. If every day is too much, start off slow and walk every other day. Take good strides and swing your arms. This will increase your circulation. If you can jog then jog, if you run then run; it depends on how active you are now.
If you are already very active, then maybe you need to add an activity that gives your body variety. The best form of "walking" exercise is to walk in a pool. It creates resistance to all your muscles as you walk, and the water helps keep you cool. It can be very exhausting.
Eating in moderation can be as simple as eating the same amount of food, but spreading it out over more meals a day. If you normally eat three meals a day, try to eat less in each meal, or eat four or even five times a day. Your body can process smaller amounts of food over the available time.
Another option would be to eat the same amount of food you normally would for your first meal, skip your second meal and then eat the same amount you normally would for your third. For your second meal, drink a glass of water and maybe eat a carrot, apple, orange or some other little morsel to help hold you over.
Fibers, whole grain, fruit are all easier to break down and flush through the system. If you drink a lot of sodas, try lemonade (like Crystal light). Most diet drinks don't taste like their fully endowed counterparts, with the exception of Diet Dr. Pepper (it actually tastes like Dr. Pepper).
You can try drinking fruit juices. I have come to realize that V8 Splash actually tastes pretty good. I like fruits but not vegetables, and this way I supplement my diet in a good way. Personally I eat two meals a day and drink the Splash as my hold over treat in the middle of the day.
The weight doesn't melt off over night, but it didn't jump on over night either. Just make your adjustments to your current way of life and you'll see the weight disappear over time.
By Suntydt from Tazewell, TN
I agree with Lilac. Also, perhaps best to avoid pure fruit juices too... because according to a recent article in the New York Times (Still Counting Calories? Your Weight-Loss Plan May Be Outdated; by Jane Brody, July 18, 2011), pure fruit juice is on a list of foods that contribute to the greatest weight gain.
"The foods that contributed to the greatest weight gain were not surprising. French fries led the list: Increased consumption of this food alone was linked to an average weight gain of 3.4 pounds in each four-year period.
Link to article: www.nytimes.com/
This page contains the following solutions.
My girlfriends and I were discussing how we'd like to lose some weight for our friend's wedding in February. I've been using a free website to keep track of what I eat and what exercises I accomplish.
For my weight control, I have found a way for me to help share with you. I buy two or three boxes of cereal at a time. Sometimes I get up too late to cook breakfast.
For quite some time I've wanted to own a tortilla pan because I love taco salads in those deep fried tortilla bowls. It just so happened that our area 'box store' had them featured in their sale ad.
Last year, I was told I had to lose 20 or more pounds. I tried different ways, but it was taking very long to lose the weight. Since it was winter in Illinois and I didn't want to go to a health club, I looked for other options.
The only sure way to lose weight is counting calories; it's all about calories in vs. calories out. First, come up with your goal weight. Goal weight x 10 = amount of calories daily you should consume.
Right now, what seems to be helping me eat more sanely (not overeating, or eating very high in calorie or fat foods), is writing down the calories I've consumed every time I eat or drink something.
Encouragement to Lose Weight. I needed to lose 20 pounds before our vacation trip. My husband was so encouraging by walking, exercising and cooking healthly meals.
My tip is about your mind set. I used to begin a diet and exercise routine thinking it was "all or nothing". Then, when I would have a bad day or two and fall off the wagon, I would feel like I had failed and stop trying.
I'd always been a bit overweight growing up. I just thought that was the norm since most of my family members always carried extra weight. "We're a big-boned family," we'd joke. But our appetites were huge, especially coming from cultural backgrounds where food was the primary offering in times of celebration... or any occasion.
As many of us know diets do not work in the long run. Weight is often regained. One easy way to reduce extra calories and lose weight or not gain it back is to pay attention to your portion sizes. They are typically too large. This page contains suggestions for controlling portion sizes.
