Tips to Lose Weight

Losing weight can be a chore, and many people seek out ill-advised short cuts rather than adopting a healthy, sensible plan for shedding pounds. Fad diets come and go, and hucksters of all varieties will always be there to offer some miraculous cure. But at the end of the day, it all comes back to eating right and exercising. If you can adopt a sensible plan that you know you can stick to, you'll find yourself looking and feeling better in no time.

Exercise

• Exercise is one of the best proven ways to keep the pounds off, but it's tough to stick with a given regimen. Doctors suggest finding an enjoyable activity that burns calories, then adopting methods to help you keep at it. Set reasonable goals for yourself as far as the amount of time you spend exercising each week, then aim higher after you've met them. Workout partners can be extremely beneficial in keeping you motivated, and many experts believe that morning exercise is easier to stick with than evening routines. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find a type of exercise you like, whether it's lifting weights at the gym or just going on long daily walks.

Diet

• The best diets advocate gradual weight loss over time, rather than sudden drops in weight, which can endanger your health. Prepare a meal plan that falls within the realm of healthy calorie intake based on your age, gender and height (normally 2,000 to 2,500 calories) and stick to it. If you have fatty treats you like, don't cut them out entirely---that will just increase your cravings. Instead, incorporate modest amounts into your meal plan---a special treat once a week lets you enjoy the fatty food without jeopardizing your diet. There are countless reliable diet plans that can help you select the right foods in the right amounts. Look for diet plans that stress weight maintenance and keeping the weight off, rather than those that promise miracle cures.

BMI

• Body mass index (BMI) is a vital statistic when losing weight. It helps provide an ideal weight based on your height and gender, rather than prescribing a "one size fits all" weight loss goal. When preparing a weight loss program, use a calculator to determine your BMI and how much weight you need to lose, then plan firm but gradual steps to reach that goal. Experts suggest losing one to two pounds a week in order to stay within healthy parameters. Once you determine your ideal weight, you can chart a plan to get there safely and sensibly, without attaching arbitrary or unrealistic figures to the equation.