Tips For Beginning A Healthy Weight Loss Plan

As you consider making changes towards a new, healthier life style, it is of paramount importance to assess your attitude toward change. Losing weight and healthy eating are not easy endeavors. The best results are obtained over time, going step by step. In order to accomplish your ultimate goal, you have to stick to a weight loss/healthy eating program long enough to make a difference.

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

You should be physically, mentally and spiritually ready to begin. When you are ready to record your reasons and pick a start date, you are ready to begin. Once you decide, half of the struggle is over. Commit to your plan.

Choose a program that is reputable and one that works. Good programs should have some common features. They usually include a daily food journal with calorie counting. They require 90% of adherence to a strict eating plan and they also require about seven hours a week of exercise such as cardio and strength training.

Choose the right plan that suits your individual needs. There are many different paths to successful weight loss. However, there is one best plan for each individual. Find a program you can stick to because adherence is the key to success.

Know the reasons you are doing the program. Record your reasons and use them as reference in the future. Do it for yourself and maybe for your loved ones. The benefits will be tremendous.

Inform your physician and get the okay if you take regular medications or you have a chronic illness. If you are healthy, you can begin a weight loss/healthy eating plan without seeing your doctor. A good program should not put your health at risk.

Know the average amount of weight loss that your program will produce. A good weight loss program will produce 10% weight loss in three to four months if you stick to the plan. However, the result could be 5% of weight loss in three to four months with a less focused implementation of the plan. Overall, you should aim for two pounds of weight loss per week.

Make sure that you do not have any unaware food allergies.

Tell your relatives and friends that you will be starting a weight loss/healthy eating plan. Let them know why you are doing it, so they will be aware of what you are doing.

Have all that you need before you begin your program (gym membership, food supplies, suitable clothing and shoes.)

Make sure you clean out your pantry and refrigerator. Get rid of junk foods and trigger foods which can initiate unnecessary eating. Restock your pantry and refrigerator with food needed to begin your weight loss/healthy eating plan.

Have a support system in place. This system should include health care professionals, personal trainer, your family and your friends. Rely on these people to help you stick to your plan.

Begin your program with vigor and enthusiasm. How well people do in the first 2-4 weeks predicts their success up to 5 years. So, make a strong start.

Seek out relatives or friends who want to do the program with you. There is strength in numbers. It is a great support to have someone to do the program with you. You will be accountable to each other. It also provides a source of motivation to work with someone you know.

Visualize your outcomes. Get images of things you want to wear in the size you hope to become. Put these images where you can see them. Make sure the goals you set are realistic.

You should be practical and allocate the time needed to do exercise regimen and food preparation. Once you have a plan in place, follow it. Commit to the rules of the program.

Know your metabolism rate. This is important for weight loss. If you have a sluggish metabolism it is very difficult to lose weight. It is a good idea to get your thyroid checked before you begin your program.

Know your metabolism type. There are three metabolism types. Type A, Type B and Type C. Each type has it specific characteristics. When you know your type, this helps you to know the right foods to eat as well as the percentage of protein, carbohydrates and fats that should be a part of your eating plan.

Know your hunger type. There are three hunger types. They are sensory, emotional and habitual. Know the triggers as well as the solutions for each type. This will help you with your weight loss by controlling your hunger and keeping it in check.

Have one big goal and several small goals as well. It is harder and sometimes frustrating to reach one big goal. However, when you accomplish your small goals, it will make your weight loss/healthy eating plan more rewarding.

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Weight Loss - Is Calorie Counting As Straightforward As It Seems?

If you are on a mission to lose weight, one thing you are very likely doing is trying your hand at calorie counting. You have heard before counting calories are critical to success, and there is nothing closer to the truth. If you do not have the right energy balance as you go about your goal to shed fat, you are not going to see the results you are hoping.

But, is counting calories as simple as adding up numbers? It turns out; it isn't. Here are a few points to remember about counting calories...

1. Calories Are Not Always Reported Accurately. First, note calories are not always reported accurately on food labels. For instance, there can be a 10% difference either way in how many calories are presented as being in the food and how many calories are actually in the food.

While this may not seem like too big of a deal - 10% should not amount to much, but if it is occurring often, it can sway your numbers.

Remember you are only ever getting an estimate of how many calories you are taking in. It is impossible to get 100% accuracy.

2. Your Body Processes Calories Differently. The next point to remember is your body will burn and process calories differently, depending on the foods you eat. For instance, if you eat food high in protein, you are going to expend more calories just breaking it down compared to food high in carbs.

Likewise, if the food is natural and contains more dietary fiber, this too will net you fewer calories than if the food is processed. Natural food breaks down very quickly in the body as the fiber is part of the food the body can't break down so speeds up digestion. While again, this won't amount to a huge difference, over time it can add up and sway your results and is yet another reason why it is critical you are focusing on wholesome and natural foods as you go about your diet plan.

3. Your Exercise Habits Make A Difference. Finally, note your exercise habits can also influence your total calorie intake. While most people think exercise only impacts the output side of the equation, this isn't the case.

The more you exercise, the higher your insulin sensitivity will be and the better you will be able to process the carbohydrates you eat leading to a lower risk of converting those carbs to body fat stores. Instead, the carbohydrates will convert to energy and be stored in your muscles.

Those who exercise tend to utilize their foods better, so this can influence their body weight and composition.

Keep these points in mind and remember, a calorie is not just a calorie. While tracking your calories is certainly critical for optimal results, it is not the entire picture for optimal success.

Although managing your disease can be very challenging, Type 2 diabetes is not a condition you must just live with. You can make simple changes to your daily routine and lower both your weight and your blood sugar levels. Hang in there, the longer you do it, the easier it gets.

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