How to Lose Body Mass

Losing weight and attaining a slimmer physique is a common goal, especially in an age where the majority of all Americans are obese and the diet pill industry is raking in astounding profits. While many people attempt to lose weight, the majority do not succeed on their first try. Permanent body mass reduction takes time and willpower, but most of all requires education on how the body stores fat and burns calories. With a little knowledge, you can lose the extra pounds with minimal stress and most importantly, for good.

Things You'll Need

• Gym Membership
• Healthy Food
• Scale
• Personal Trainer
• Nutritionist

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Instructions

• 1

  View weight loss not as a temporary problem that can be fixed quickly, but rather as a series of lifestyle changes that will be continued even after you reach your goal weight. Too often people suffer from the phenomenon of yo-yo dieting, where they are successful at losing the weight but not keeping it off. By viewing weight loss as a lifestyle change rather than as a temporary restriction, this can be avoided. TheDietChannel.com's Kathleen Goodwin, registered dietitian, recommends you view health as your goal, not temporary weight loss, and permanent lifestyle changes are how to remain consistently healthy.

• 2

  Stop looking at the scale, at least at first. Focus instead on improving areas of your life that are inherently connected to your waistline, such as preparing healthy meals and getting at least a small amount of exercise every day. Be careful to avoid the pitfalls of trying to do too much too quickly, as it can be overwhelming and may put achieving your goals in jeopardy. Even small changes in lifestyle, such as drinking water instead of soda, can over time provide significant changes in your weight, and more importantly your health.

• 3

  Join a gym if you haven't already, and make a commitment to yourself to go on a regular basis. It is not terribly important initially to go very often, but rather simply to be consistent. As time goes on, it will become a habit and part of your routine, and you can add additional workouts as you become more comfortable with an active lifestyle. Seriously consider hiring a personal trainer; they can educate you on what exercises to do for weight loss, and how to perform them safely.

• 4

  If small changes are not producing the results you hope for, create a meal plan that creates a slight caloric deficit. According to Stella Ejiofoh-Alli, medical director of Art of Living Nigeria, counting calories is a proven method of losing weight. This caloric deficit should not be extreme, preferably under 500 calories; if you are feeling extremely hungry throughout the day you are not eating enough. Weight loss does not require starvation, and getting greedy by eating too little will be counterproductive, as it encourages binge eating and post-diet weight gain. Weigh out your portions in order to know exact the exact amounts of calories, protein, and other nutrients that you are getting in your diet. A log book of your meals can be extremely helpful, as long as you honestly report everything you eat, and remain accountable to yourself.

• 5

  If you need assistance in creating a meal plan, hire a professional nutritionist to create one for you. These professionals are very well educated in nutrition and dieting, and can put you on a healthy and successful road to your goal weight. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that nutritionists require at least a bachelors degree in that field, and state certification. Needless to say, they know what they are doing, and can be an invaluable resource to those new to healthy eating.