Weight Loss For Life

You may have tried losing weight in the past, with poor or short-lived results. This can put even more stress on the body. What is needed is a healthy, and long-lasting approach. With this plan you will not be losing 10 or 20 pounds in a week or two, but rather a small and steady amount until you reach your target weight.

The steps outlined below are simple, but not always easy. Remind yourself of why you want to lose weight, and the ill effects obesity causes. Think of it this way: would you rather die from the effects of obesity, or would you rather lose some weight and enjoy more vibrant health?

1. Don't go on a diet.

There is no need to deprive yourself. Eat when you are hungry; just eat a better choice of foods in appropriate portions. Skipping meals or eliminating whole groups of foods is a sure way to set yourself up for failure. You want to keep the weight off.

Eat a healthy and hearty breakfast to start your day right. Study after study has shown the benefits of doing so. Have a bit of food from the main food groups, and you will be on the right track.

2. Eat more meals.

Yes, that's right - eating more meals throughout the day keeps you from getting overly hungry. In turn, this prevents overeating. Instead of eating three big meals, you would eat five or six smaller meals. Plus, eating this way will increase your metabolism, causing your calories to burn off faster.

3. About fat and sugar.

Low-fat and no-fat diets were very popular several years ago, but obesity rates still climbed. Eliminating fat from your diet does not work. However, choosing the right kinds of fat does work. Saturated and trans fats are the types to avoid. These are found in meat and other animal products, as well as coconut and palm oils. Avoid these in favor of unsaturated fats and Omega-3 oils. These are found in plant sources and fish.

Regardless of the type of fat, keep in mind that all fat is calorie dense (containing 9 calories per gram).

Naturally occurring sugars found in fruits and vegetables are a part of a healthy eating plan. They also have the benefit of satisfying cravings for something sweet. Refined sugar is a poor choice, and should be avoided where possible. In spite of claims to the contrary, this includes all types of refined sugar - including sucrose, brown, and turbinado sugar.

4. Get moving.

The word 'exercise' makes some people cringe. However, if you simply think of it as 'moving' it is much better. The key is to be active. You do not need a gym membership to get moving. (Though there is nothing wrong with joining a gym if would like to use the latest equipment or enjoy gyms)

Here is a quick example. Some people pride themselves on being able to find the parking space closest to the front of a store. Think about what would happen if they would take pride in how far they had to walk instead. Which leads right into one of the best ways to get moving - walking. Just about anybody can do it, and you don't need special equipment to get started (and you'll save a small fortune on gasoline in the process!)

When you think of your weight as something you do for life, it is much easier to make the changes needed. Following the steps above does not require major changes, but will have long-lasting results. You can start making these small changes right away. You have nothing to lose - except the extra weight you have been carrying around.

Michael Oksa is the co-author of "121 Tips To Help You Lose Weight And Keep It Off". He believes in helping people achieve their weight loss goals and provides these tips free of charge at http://www.how-to-diet.net