How to Lose Weight Without Struggling

Although you recognize the health benefits of losing weight, you might be having trouble motivating yourself to begin your quest to lose weight. Some people struggle with diets that fail. You can lose weight without going hungry, becoming obsessive about exercising or using unhealthy practices to drop pounds. Follow a few steps to help you lose weight without feeling lousy and without failing miserably at your weight loss goals.

Instructions

• 1

  Promise yourself that you will not start a temporary diet but rather will change your way of living to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and a healthy lifestyle. If you approach your attempt to lose weight as a diet, you are not likely to be successful. There are too many people who only improve their eating and exercise habits long enough to lose weight. You are more likely to revert back to your old habits (and regain your weight) if you diet rather than change your life.

• 2

  Enlist your doctor as one of your allies in your efforts to lose weight. Your doctor can help you determine the ideal calorie intake and balance of nutrients based on your age, body build and any illnesses from which you are afflicted. He or she can also help you to design a safe fitness plan for your specific health level. Your doctor will be able to help you to determine if there are any medical factors that have influenced your weight as well.

• 3

  Reduce or even avoid the unhealthiest food choices available to you. Skip fast food options since most choices are packed with fat, calories and often too much salt. Avoid convenience foods and overly processed foods. You will need to cut out most TV dinners, luncheon meats and even many types of canned soups, for example. Do not snack on sugary junk foods or salty snacks. A treat now and then is acceptable if it helps you to stick with healthy eating habits, as long as you do not make these foods a regular habit.

• 4

  Do not eat all the food that you have on your plate. Leaving a few bites of food on your plate at each meal will help you to begin a habit of eating smaller portions of food. You will start to consume less calories and lose weight.

• 5

  Find exercises that you enjoy so that you want to exercise several times each week. The best way to lose weight is to burn off more calories than you put in your body each day through the foods you eat. You do not have to hit the gym to lose weight. Aerobic videos, yoga, walking, swimming, tennis or basketball are some fun ways to burn calories. Find exercises that you enjoy rather than setting up a harsh exercise routine that you will hate and will not stick to for very long.

• 6

  Find extra ways to be physically active throughout the day. Remember the more active you are, the more calories and fat you will burn. You can stand up at your desk at work a couple times each day to do some jumping jacks or to jog in place. Make an effort to park towards the end of a parking lot so that you take a few more steps to the building you are entering. Walk up a flight or two of stairs rather than using the elevator all the time. Get out and play with your family in the evening a few times per week. If you are on the lookout, you will find many extra ways to get your body moving.