How to Lose Weight in Five Steps

Millions of people struggle with trying to lose weight and maintain it. The healthiest way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat. Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States and 1/3 Americans are extremely obese. In order to lose weight, you need to change your eating habits and exercise program according to what your doctor advises. Losing weight can improve your health and make you feel better about yourself. Two major factors in losing weight are proper eating habits and exercise.

Consult your Doctor

Ask your doctor what diet and exercise program is right for you to lose weight. Discuss the programs that are healthy according to your lifestyle and budget.

Set your goals

• Eat fewer calories and you will lose weight
• Change eating habits; eat slower
• Receive support from family, friends, and co-workers to help motivate you to lose weight.
• Limit eating to small portions rather than large ones
• Drink alcohol sparingly
• Omit fatty and fried foods
• Fill the refrigerator with healthy, low-calorie foods
• Know your eating triggers such as stress, relationship problems, self-worth, etc.
• Enjoy health foods such as fiber, fruits, vegetables, and protein
• Eat less snacks such as cookies, candy, potato chips etc.

Prevent Health Problems

Exercise and diet will help improve your overall health from lowering your blood pressure, diabetes symptoms, reducing stress to help lower depression etc. Exercise has many benefits that will help you physically, mentally, and socially.

Avoid Unhealthy Foods

• Reduce food intake
• Avoid all sodas, foods with salt, fats, fast food, and junk food
• Skip all deserts
• Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
• Reduce snacks
• Eat healthy snacks
• Eat meals at regular times
• Avoid eating at bedtime
• Stay away from eating in front of the computer or television

Exercise Regularly

Exercise burns calories, gives you energy, and you feel less tired so you can do more during the day. Excessive weight gain is excessive calories, which are stored in the body and, therefore, you gain weight. Do an exercise that you love to do such as walking, swimming, cycling, running or going to the gym will be a good motivation to want to lose the excessive weight. Find something you like stick to it and build your routine daily program through the holidays, family gatherings etc. and you will soon notice a difference in your weight.

Weight Loss Tips

Acquired amount of sleep is needed to be able to exercise on a regular basis and help give you energy. Eat fruits and vegetables with each meal. Buy a scale and weigh weekly. Find an exercise partner and exercise together. Take a picture before you start your diet and exercise program and after you lose the weight. Reduce overeating and ask yourself, is it really worth it if you eat all the time? Reward yourself by going to the movies (avoid the popcorn and soda), a new dress or read a new book anything to divert yourself away from eating something. Keep to your diet and you will maintain the weight you want to lose.

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