With all the unrealistic role models we have in the media and in magazines, it’s no wonder there is so much pressure to be thin. But being healthy is much more important and you can still look great even if you have a larger body frame. So don’t beat yourself up, take steps to better your health so that you will look and feel younger and happier.
Now, know this isn’t a “quick-fix” guide to weight loss because usually that leads you right back to where you started.
1)Take moderate steps by losing 1-2 pounds per week. Decide how many calories you are consuming in a day by reading labels on boxes and preparing your own meals so you have more control over your calorie intake. To start weight loss, you may need to reduce your calorie intake by 500-800 calories a day depending on what you eat now.
2)Eat smaller proportioned meals. This will help speed up your metabolism. Our bodies will go into a “starvation” mode when we are not eating enough meals throughout the day and will store all the fat from everything we eat. But we can reprogram our bodies to immediately burn food once we consume it by eating more often. This trains our body that there is no need to store fat.
3)Exercise. There is no way around it. But people think exercise and they think “time-consuming”. You can walk your dog, play with your kids outside, take a bike ride or walk around your block 2-3 times a week and that will increase your metabolism as well. You don’t have to be a professional kick-boxer or aerobic instructor to exercise an adequate amount. You’d be surprised what a 20 min. walk will do. Start off slow and with persistence, you will see results.
4)Prepare meals and snacks ahead of time. Most people eat fast food or chips or cookies because it’s convenient not because of its nutritional value. So make healthy foods just as convenient. Set up recipes for snacks between meals and prepare them ahead of time. Before you go shopping, think of low-cal meals, desserts and side dishes to cook and only buy those items. When you reach in the refrigerator when you are prepared, you’ll end up eating a healthy snack that will contribute to your weight loss goal and also satisfy your hunger and continue to speed up your metabolism.
5)Get personal help. Some of us need a nutritionist to help us start us off in the right direction. Others may need a trainer or a personal coach. There is nothing wrong with consulting in people who do this for a living. They usually take their health and yours very seriously.
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