| You've heard it all before -- to lose weight
you must burn more calories than you consume. But anyone who has
ever tried to lose weight knows it's not that easy!
For many people, efforts to lose weight mean
intensive dieting, obsessive calorie counting, self-deprivation,
and hunger. This type of dieting usually leads to failure
because you suffer through it. For the most part, people who
lose weight and manage to keep it off do so by adopting healthy
habits that stay with them for the rest of their lives. Weight
loss is not an isolated, one-time activity, but part of a
lifetime of better health.
Take it slow and steady
Start with realistic, achievable goals. Don't
expect to become "thin" overnight. Experts agree that slow,
steady weight loss is healthier than a quick fix or remaining
overweight. You should try to lose no more than a couple of
pounds per week.
While this can be frustrating, slow and steady
weight loss is the only way to avoid "yo-yo dieting," where you
lose a great deal of weight, only to regain it within a few
months or years. There are no miracles in weight loss; go for
steady progress toward a healthier life.
|
