Realistic Goals For Weight Loss

You should not aim for rapid weight loss because that would cause serious health problems and over time it would be counter-productive. Keep in mind that the diet your friend is on may not work for you. You will have to find out what foods and how much of these foods works for you and stick to it. As you go on, you will see that you actually start enjoying food in a healthy way. Cultivate the habit of drinking green tea. This contains the antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) which increases metabolism. The body is thus prevented from storing fat and drinking green tea suppresses your appetite. Keep the salt intake low. Increase the amount of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and unrefined carbohydrates in your diet.

Eat only low-fat food. Cereals, including bread, rice, pasta, and noodles can be included in the diet. When eating flesh foods, remember that lean meat is the best option, when you remove the skin of the chicken, beef, lamb, or pork before eating it. Use very little cooking medium such as oil and butter. Never, ever indulge yourself when stressed. Try as much as possible not to overeat the foods you like or enjoy. Fad diets are to be totally avoided. Include milk, yoghurt and cheese in your diet, but limit the amount and stick to the low-fat variety.

One very important rule to remember is that you must drink plenty of water. Water gives us energy. This boosts metabolism and you will lose weight faster. If you drink a glass of water before a meal, chances are that you will eat less. If you enjoy a drink after work, limit it to one drink. It is also a good idea to eat smaller portions several times a day. Never skip a meal. Remember physical activity boosts your mood. You get a sense of having achieved something and this increases your sense of well-being.

Balancing the calories used up in exercising, with the calories gained from your food is what will help you with your weight reduction and weight maintenance. Some points to remember are: When you consume more calories than you burn up, the body stores this and you gain weight. If you eat fewer calories than what you use up, your body will use up the calories it has stored and you will lose weight. Should your calorie intake be the same as that lost during exercising, your weight will remain the same. There are many kinds of physical activities that you can choose from - running/jogging, aerobics, swimming, cycling, and walking. Doing house work is a wonderful way to burn up the calories. Walking is the best for weight loss. Walking for 30 - 60 minutes a day at a moderate pace burns the stored fat and builds muscle. Your metabolism is speeded up. Walking outside your home every day besides helping you to lose weight also focuses your mind. The best time to walk is in the early morning, preferably when it is still dark.