Monday, January 22, 2007

Healthy Weight Loss Plan Lose Weight The Right Way

With so many diets and alternative food choices available on the market today, it can be difficult to figure out where to start when you want to lose a few pounds. Long-term weight loss is most effectively achieved when healthy lifestyle changes are made and maintained.

A healthy weight loss plan is as follows:

* Exercise more. Increase your level of physical activity and try to make it fun. Walks in the park, long bicycle rides, swimming in the pool - choose the type of exercise you like the most so that you look forward to doing it three or four times a week. Exercise burns calories and helps to maintain body functions.

* Reduce your calorie intake. The simple mathematical step of counting your calories is a key element to losing weight. Eating between 300 and 500 calories less each day can help you to lose one to two pounds per week.

* Choose your cooking methods carefully. Fried foods contain more fat and calories than foods that are baked, grilled, boiled or broiled.

* Drink more water. Our bodies are made of mostly water, which is an essential element to our overall well-being. Ideally, we should drink eight glasses of water a day - a bonus is that is also curbs your appetite.

* Keep track of your weight weekly. Daily weigh-ins can be discouraging, so monitor your progress by weighing yourself before breakfast once a week and writing it down.

* Add more vegetables to your meals. Vegetables provide additional bulk to fill you up, as well as add essential nutrients to your diet.

* Eat fruit for dessert. Try having fruit instead of sugary snacks for dessert a few times a week to eliminate extra calories and fat. At only eight calories a tablespoon, add a dollop of whipped cream for flavor.

* Have patience. It took some time to put on the extra pounds and it will take some time to shed them, too. Sometimes it takes a couple of weeks or even a month before significant results show - keep going and you will have success.

Developing a healthy weight loss plan will enable you to feel better while you beat the battle of the bulge.