Weight loss and healthy living: the perfect combination

Weight loss and a healthy life should always go hand in hand. It is important to note that being thin does not equal being healthy. Therefore, a healthy weight loss regimen should be adopted if you want to lose weight.

Unhealthy expectations

America has been rocked by the weight loss craze. We see it on TV and in the news: people using any means to lose weight, hoping to get that perfect body they see on models and Hollywood personalities. The weight loss craze has affected not only adults, but also children. Many talk shows reveal that kids also want to have pencil-thin bodies to emulate the people they see on TV.

Should you really lose weight?

Doctors would normally say that weight loss is recommended for people who are obese. Obesity is the accumulation of excess fat in the body, resulting in being overweight. Obesity is calculated through your body mass index (BMI), or the ratio of your weight to your height.

However, it is important to note that weight loss is not just for obese people. Non-obese people who are slightly overweight may also benefit from losing a few extra pounds, but there must be limitations to losing weight.

healthy weight loss

Whether you are obese or just thinking about losing weight, the best way is to combine weight loss and healthy living. Weight loss and healthy living are two factors that should go hand in hand and should not contradict each other.

Crash diets and extreme exercise are not the first step to losing weight and living a healthy life. Surprisingly, the body prefers small, slow changes to sudden transformations.
For example, if you haven’t exercised for years, you shouldn’t rush to the gym the next day and run the treadmill for miles. Doing this can leave you struggling and out of breath. Also, it can cause injuries to the body such as muscle pain and back pain.

Likewise, crash dieting is ineffective. A strict diet that severely restricts calories can result in a vitamin deficiency, leading to loss of energy.

Healthy methods to lose weight.

Therefore, weight loss and healthy living must be established using reasonable goals and practical approaches. Below are some steps to lose weight and lead a healthy life:

1. Eat less; exercise more: the more you eat, the more energy your body stores. And the more energy is equal to having to do more intense activities to help the body burn these energies. If left in storage, it will gain weight. Therefore, the effective way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more. Start by reducing the number of calories you eat. Eat fiber-rich foods that will help you feel full throughout the day and can also aid in digestion. Also, increase your activity levels so your body can break down stored energy.

2. Introduce changes gradually: small changes can make a big difference. Changes usually mean making sacrifices. Cutting back on your food implies perseverance and even the ability to resist temptation. Switch to healthy diet foods and avoid crash diets. Remember, weight loss and healthy living go hand in hand.

3. Increase your activity levels: This simply means exercising more. Exercising does not automatically mean going to the gym, you can take a 30 minute brisk walk or jog every day, that will be enough.

4. Reduce calorie intake by:

o Substitution of soft drinks and soft drinks for water.

o Change from whole milk to semi-skimmed, or semi-skimmed to skimmed.

o Eat less than usual for lunch.

o Reduce the intake of sugar in tea and coffee.

o Eat smaller portions of the food you enjoy.

o Avoid second servings at dinner.

o Elimination of unhealthy treats such as candy, sugar cookies, and chips between meals.

o Reduce the consumption of beer and alcohol.

However, it is important not to skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast will only leave you much hungrier and will not result in healthy weight loss.

set reasonable goals

Ultimately, the key to losing weight and living a healthy life is setting reasonable goals. Set up a food diary or weight loss chart and monitor your progress. Don’t expect results overnight. Remember, losing weight requires effort, time, perseverance, and determination. In no time at all, you’ll have the healthy body image you’ve always wanted!