Although it is generally true that burning more calories than you consume will result in weight loss, developing the right approach to losing weight is often more complex, especially when you want long-term results. There are different factors to consider before deciding on the right approach for you.
Start With Sustainability
Losing weight and keeping it off requires a combination of adopting a healthier diet and being more active. Unfortunately, many people cannot achieve or sustain a weight loss plan simply because they make unrealistic changes. Although it can be tempting to adopt the next diet or exercise plan, it makes little sense to go down a path that will ultimately lead to failure.
Try to be realistic with yourself about the changes you can make, even if they are small changes at a time. For example, it is unrealistic to expect you will go from eating whatever you want to eating 1,200 calories each day forever. However, you may be able to commit to eliminating one or more of your daily indulgences. Once you are comfortable with one change, you can begin working on the next change.
Make Sensible Dietary Choices
What is sensible will be different for everyone. One of the biggest problems with many diet plans is they are not individualized enough to fit your unique needs. Although several people may need to restrict their calories each day to achieve weight loss, the types of foods they eat will need to be different. Some people can function well without excessive hunger by eating a diet higher in carbohydrates, whereas other people might find carbohydrates leave them hungry or are trigger foods.
No matter the macronutrient ratio that works for your body, just try to focus more on whole foods and staying within your calorie allowance. As you lose weight, you can make adjustments that might help you move closer to your goals, or you may even realize an old diet plan no longer works and you need to make other changes.
Be More Active
Although your diet is the single biggest contributor in weight loss, being more active can help. You might only think of exercise when considering activity, but there are additional activities you may need to incorporate to be successful. As far as physical activity, the best way to be consistent is to choose activities you enjoy and do not feel obligated to dive in. Doing the latest intense workout video or running at a fast pace obviously burns more calories, but it does little to help your long-term goals if you end up injured or you simply hate the activity.
Having other activities beyond exercise can also be helpful. It is not uncommon for people to have a poor relationship with food if they are depressed, stressed, or bored. Engaging in hobbies or other activities you enjoy beyond exercise can also be included in your overall strategy for weight loss.
There is no magic fix for long-term weight loss. The people who are most successful often experiment with different approaches until they find what works for them. For additional help in losing weight, you may want to consider seeking help from a weight management clinic.
Is your knee stiff and painful every morning when you get out of bed? Perhaps, you sometimes feel a grinding sensation in your knee. If you can relate to this frustrating situation, you might be suffering from osteoarthritis. Thankfully, several treatments are available for this joint condition. Sometimes, physicians recommend patients battling osteoarthritis of the knee take a prescription painkiller. Doctors also often encourage patients to lose weight and start a low-impact exercise program. Swimming and walking are both great forms of low-impact exercise. On this blog, I hope you will discover how to effectively and quickly relieve the painful symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee. Enjoy!