Summer is quickly approaching, and that means that bathing suit season is around the corner. Over the cold winter months it is more than normal to pack on a few extra pounds. However those extra pounds can be very detrimental to your body and overall health. They can lead to heart disease, diabetes, and even pain and stiffness in your joints. The good news is that you are not helpless when it comes to that extra weight. There are ways that you can get those extra pounds off of your body in a healthy way.
To lose weight you need to eat. It is a common misconception that you should simply starve yourself to drop extra pounds, but that will actually set you up for disaster. When the body feels starved it will actually slow your metabolism. A slow metabolism can mean slow weight loss if any at all. Instead, you are going to want to choose a diet that is rich in high fiber foods. This way your body is getting the fuel that it needs to run, but you will find yourself eating less. These higher fiber foods will help to keep you feeling full so that you do not have the urge to eat as often.
Give your self credit where credit is due. Keep a journal of all your successes that you have accomplished daily. If you drank your water, write it down. If you ate that vegetable or fruit instead of the cake and cookies, write that down as well. I believe tiny small accomplishments written down over time will prove to make your goal seem less attainable as well as build your self esteem for a job well done. Keep the negative thinking away as much as possible. If you happen to slip up then give yourself credit for acknowledging it and stay positive. There is no use in negative self talk if you did something not on the diet plan. To me, it is normal to have an urge for our favorite foods; even if they are not on the plan.
One thing that you want to make sure that you are doing is drinking enough water. Our bodies are 70% water, and by continually flushing out our bodies we can really aid the weight loss process. One way to start on your healthy journey to weight loss is drinking 4-8 glasses of water a day. If it hard for you to do this start out with two glasses a day and work up to more. Keep a reminder around the kitchen so you know to keep diligent.
You will also want to get yourself up and off of the couch. Physical activity is one of the best things that you can do to kick start your metabolism to start dropping the weight. Basically, you need to be sure that you are burning more calories than your body is taking in every day. A great way to do this is to increase your amount of physical activity. Try to be sure that you are getting at lease 20-30 minutes of physical activity three to five times a week. If you make this change in your lifestyle you will be pleasantly surprised by how quickly the weight starts to drop off.
The truth is that losing weight can be a challenge, but achieving success is possible. The key is to go about losing weight in a healthful manner so that you can keep it off. By making a few healthful changes in your lifestyle you will set yourself up for a long and healthful life.
Always consult your doctor before starting any new diet, product or exercise routine.
Lori Matthews studies health, nutrition and wellness. She enjoys writing articles on health for both people and pets. Please visit Forevergreen Weight Loss for more information.