The Best Way to Lose Weight

The best way to lose weight is through healthy nutrition and exercise. There is no temporary fix that equals a healthier, fitter body. Permanent, healthy change is the only way to achieve personal weight loss and fitness goals.

Fad diets are not the best way to lose weight and they lead to pathological dieting. They also fail 95% of the time. They are popular because they generally boast quick weight loss without the benefit of exercise. Temporary goals may be achieved, but a return to unhealthy ways follows, leading to weight gain once again.

The best way to lose weight is to add food to your diet instead of taking away. Find food you enjoy before creating a calorie deficit. Instead of cutting carbs or going fat free, find nutrient-rich food you will continue to eat even after the weight is gone.

Cut your meals from three large meals per day, to 5 or 6 smaller meals, eating every 3 hours to keep energy up and cravings down. Nuts, brown rice crackers, fruit, and yogurt are nutritious snacks you can implement in your diet when you are busy working or parenting throughout the day. Once you know how you to eat, you can then omit the calories to begin weight loss. The body needs a calorie deficit of about 3500 calories weekly to achieve weight loss of one pound per week. Your calorie range should never dip below 1200 calories, and should be much higher than that if you are exercising.

Exercise is the second best way to lose weight, but only about half of Americans do it regularly. When beginning, try exercising 20 minutes, three times a week. Instead of the treadmill, try an interval routine combining strength and cardio training. Try a class, a personal trainer, or a workout DVD at home. You could also join a sport to keep yourself motivated. Keeping your routine exciting and new will keep you coming back for more.

http://fit.webmd.com/teen/healthy-weight/article/fad-diet-myth

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/news/20100121/are-americans-backing-off-exercise