The reason why so many weight loss methods only seem to provide a short term fix and do not deliver a long term solution is because in order to stay with a diet or exercise programme, you have to really enjoy it. Not only that, but it has to be safe as well. Fad diets, celebrity promoted exercise programmes and weight loss pills and potions will help you to shed a few pounds, but as soon as you start to eat “normally” again, the weight often returns.
So here are 5 genuine suggestions to help you lose weight, which almost anyone can do, without excluding your favourite foods from your diet or spending every spare minute of your time in the gym.
Realistically, any weight loss program will take time. Diets which promise you instant results are either not being completely honest or are simply uninformed. At worst, they may be downright dangerous. As a suggestion, set yourself a realistic target and then follow one single weight loss programme for one month. Don’t weight yourself every day as your weight can fluctuate on a daily basis. I suggest you weigh yourself once a week to check your progress. If you are not losing weight in proportion to your target, first check that you are following the programme correctly. In the meantime, try the following suggestions to help burn off the calories.
Walking is an ideal form of exercise. If you can set aside 30 minutes every day to enjoy a leisurely stroll, you will be strengthening your legs and your heart while burning some calories in the process. With any exercise, start slowly and build up over a period of time. Your leisurely stroll will soon turn into a brisk walk and 30 minutes transform into an hour of excellent cardiovascular exercise!
A second ideal form of exercise is to get on your bike! I suggest you consult your Doctor BEFORE starting on any strenuous exercise to avoid causing any undue stress on your body, but cycling is a great form of exercise and is great fun. You may chose to cycle to work instead of taking the car, if this is possible, which also helps the environment. If you are fortunate enough to live in rural area, cycling enables you to enjoy the scenery often missed when you are behind the wheel of a car.
The next time you have a choice, take the stairs instead of an escalator or lift. This is a fantastic weight loss exercise which you can fit into your daily routine without even noticing the extra effort. Something as simple as walking up a couple of flights of stairs every day can make all the difference where weight loss is concerned. The next time you go to the supermarket, park in the middle of the car park and walk to the store. Avoid parking in the closest spot to the door, which is tempting, but opt to walk instead.
Do not cut out all of your favourite foods from your diet, but eat them in moderation. There is no single food that will completely hinder your weight loss attempt but, all foods if consumed excessively will certainly halt any attempt at weight loss. Cutting out the foods you enjoy will cause cravings and may lead to binge eating. So there is no reason to cut out your favourite food when a conservative amount of the things we love can still have a place in our lives, including during times when you are focusing on losing weight.
One of the major reasons people give for failure to lose weight when on a diet, or for never actually starting is TIME. Whatever exercise routine you decide to adopt it is imperative that you set aside a certain time each day to do it. Some people decide to get up an hour early to go for a walk, jog or cycle ride. It’s a proven fact that people who set a routine are much more likely to stay with it and find success than those who simply exercise only when they have time.
The secret to successful weight loss is:
know what you want your ideal weight to be
prepare a realistic eating and exercise plan to achieve it
make a commitment to yourself to take consistent action to achieve your plan
think of ways to make losing weight fun such as walking, jogging or cycling with a friend
do not give up – you can overcome any obstacle in your way to achieving your perfect weight
Remember, before you begin any weight loss or exercise programme, please consult your Doctor to ensure that you do not damage your health.