Article by Gary Holdon
Are you trying to lose a few pounds, or perhaps more than a few pounds? If so, you’re not alone. Weight loss is one of the major problems prevalent in society, with so much of the population either overweight or obese. However, it doesn’t have to be that way, and you can lose weight quickly and healthfully with relatively little effort, as long as you know what to do.
The first thing you need is a change in diet. You can avoid any feeling of deprivation by increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables you eat. It is best to eat them fresh although frozen will do if nothing else is available. Try to eat fruits and vegetables raw and unprocessed, or prepared closest to their natural form. Do stay away from those that contain additives particularly sugar. Many people turned obese from consuming too much sugar, refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats.
Then, increase your water intake. Water does not have any calories and can quench your thirst. If you feel bored with plain water, you can opt for the carbonated “flavored” waters. They may have a little added flavor but they do not contain sodium and neither do they have calories. Try to wean yourself away from diet soda as its phosphorous content is harmful to your bones and teeth. There are some studies that suggest that the artificial sweeteners used in diet sodas can contribute to weight gain.
Also, it is important for you to get a little exercise. You need to gradually increase your physical activity. One word of caution — do not try to do too much too soon especially if your body is not used to physical exertion. You can start off by taking a brisk walk for say five minutes on the first day. Then increase your activities on the succeeding sessions and slowly work your way up to more strenuous routines. If you have any medical condition, be sure to seek clearance from your doctor before implementing any change in your diet or engaging in any exercise regimen.When you have started on the first three steps mentioned above, it is time to review your total food consumption both in terms of quantity and quality. If your diet consists more of simple carbohydrates or junk food, or any other foods considered unhealthy, you will still gain additional pounds despite your other efforts to lose weight. What you need to do is to eliminate those foods totally from your diet and go for healthier alternatives instead. You may also wish to cut down on the amounts consumed.
For example, one substitute you could make is that if you eat a lot of potato chips, it’s a relatively simple matter to slice some potatoes up, pan fry them with a bit of nonstick spray, liven them up with some herbs, and snack away. You can’t overdo it on potatoes, either, but they are a much healthier alternative to potato chips, and you can have one large potato (by itself) without breaking your weight loss plan at all. This type of eating is also going to be able to fill you up much more than junk food will, because it won’t send your blood sugar zooming upward and then crashing, which will make you even hungrier than you were before.
About the Author
There are many effective ways to lose weight, however is it right for you?. To learn more about this issue check out these articles about chosing the right weight loss plan especially how to obtain sustainable weight loss and fitness through quick weight loss programs
