Today, it seems as if every magazine, television ad, and radio station is announcing some new diet, supplement, or form of losing weight. It is no wonder so many people are confused, asking question after question to determine which diet is the right diet. The bad news is that not all “diets” are good choices but the good news is that we now have a wealth of information. The key to losing weight is using only the good information and eliminating the bad.
If you are trying to lose weight, you should congratulate yourself. Carrying excess weight is hard on the bones and the heart, while being a precursor for various diseases such as cancer and diabetes, not to mention heart attack and stroke. The way to lose weight successfully, no matter which diet option you choose is to be realistic with your goals, create good meal plans, and start exercising. Those three components together will take you a long way.
First, you have to be realistic about the amount of weight you should lose and the timeframe for losing that weight. For instance, if you were 5’8” and you now weigh 200 pounds, you should lose approximately 40 to 50 pounds. While some models weigh as little as 110 pounds at that height, it is not a healthy weight. Remember, numbers do not necessarily matter. I remember weighing 145 pounds but wearing a small eight. Therefore, start by working with a doctor to determine exactly what you need to lose not just for your clothes but more importantly, for your overall health.
Second, you want to start creating different menus. In addition to choosing healthier foods, you want to pay attention to the quantity of food too. Our society is all about fast food, which is convenient but dangerous. Loaded with sodium and fat, people who live on a fast food diet end up with clogged arteries, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and more. It will take time to learn to eat differently but once you start skipping the hamburgers, fries, and pizzas, choosing baked chicken, salmon, and lean beef with fresh fruits and vegetables, you will actually feel better.
I would highly encourage anyone reading this to set an initial two-week trial period. During this time, choose no more than 1,200 calories a day, consisting of healthy calories, which would include lean means, fish, poultry, whole grains, and again, fresh fruits, and vegetables. Mark your original weight but also your energy level, as well as your concentration level. Then at the end of the two weeks, again check your weight and take note of the differences in how you sleep, how much energy you have, and overall concentration. You will be shocked by the difference.
Third, incorporate exercise into your daily schedule. If you are morbidly obese, do not use this as an excuse but instead, start by moving your feet up and down and your arms in circles. If you are simply overweight, get out and walk around the block. If possible, get 30 minutes of exercise. Just remember, even 15 to 20 minutes are better than no exercise at all. With persistency, you will notice differences. For this, I suggest you take your measurements and then in two weeks, measure again. Chances are you will start to notice the inches melting away.
My Top Five Exercises for November