The number of people struggling with their weight fluctuates annually around the world. In the U.S., about 90 million people are classified as obese, or roughly one-third of the population. In 2016, about one-quarter of American adults were classified as obese. One of the major reasons for this epidemic is the misconception that fat and unhealthy food is necessary for body image and self-esteem. In reality, it’s the exact opposite. When you eat healthy and live an active lifestyle, you not only lose weight but you also start to feel a whole lot better about yourself.
What’s more, you are likely to gain a whole new group of friends as you make new connections that were not possible when you were carrying a lot of extra weight. Studies show that social support plays a huge role in reducing the psychological stress that comes with being overweight or obese, as well as increasing your motivation to lose weight. In short, when you need support in order to lose weight, try finding it within your social network. The more you participate in social activities and make new connections, the easier it will be to shed those extra pounds.
Find The Perfect Weight Loss Plan
There are many different theories about weight loss, and while there may be one that suits your body type and lifestyle, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to losing weight. Each person has a different weight loss plan that is perfect for them. To find the perfect plan for you, you need to consider your personal preferences. For example, do you prefer to follow a strict diet, or would you rather take a more natural route and rely on exercise and proper rest?
Now is the time to put your personal preferences into practice and make the necessary changes to achieve the weight loss plan that suits you best. If following a fad diet is what you’re looking for, you should consider taking a closer look at how effective those diets are in the long term. The same goes for the popular South Beach diet, which gained a lot of traction after its creator, Dr. Richard Simmons, claimed that it could be used to fight disease and reverse aging. While there is no question that the diet isnutritious and provides lots of good food for the body, it is extremely restrictive, which makes it less healthy and more difficult to adhere to. The perfect plan may be a combination of the two, which you will find out about once you start losing weight.
Create A Healthy Eating Routine
When you know what foods you should and should not be eating, it’s much easier to create a healthy eating routine. When you develop a routine, you not only ensure that you eat the right food but you also know when you are having a bad day and can adjust your diet accordingly. Going back to the example above, if you find that certain foods make you bloated or give you gas, you should avoid eating them. If you are having trouble coming up with foods that you should avoid, consider creating a list of common foods that you associate with gaining weight. Once you have that list, you can start eliminating them from your diet.
Eating healthy does not mean that you have to deprive yourself of the foods you love. In fact, research shows that people who restrict their diet to mostly vegetables and fruits experience fewer health problems than people who eat lots of snacks and bread. If following a plant-based diet is what you are looking for, consider eating more vegetables and fruits than usual to meet your daily requirements for vitamins, minerals, and fiber. For the best results, eat lots of vegetables and fruits that are colorful and diverse. They will help you maintain a healthy body weight and give you an adequate supply of vitamins and antioxidants to fight free radicals in your body. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can lead to cell damage and premature aging. Eating lots of vegetables and fruits will also help reduce your intake of animal products, which are high in saturated fats that contribute to heart disease.
Consult A Physician If You Experience Complications
If you are experiencing any complications related to your weight loss endeavor, it’s important to consult a physician. There are medical conditions that may arise from obesity, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure, just to name a few. If you experience any complications related to your weight loss, you will need to make adjustments to your diet and lifestyle to manage the issue at hand. If you are not sure how to proceed, you should seek medical help from a specialist in obesity and metabolism.
Manage Your Mental Health
Your mental health is as important to your weight loss as your physical health. If you are not mentally prepared to commit to a healthier lifestyle, you will never achieve your desired results. Studies show that about 80% of people who visit their doctor about their weight are depressed and experiencing poor mental health. To lose weight, you need to be at least 45% more likely to engage in healthier behaviors. If you want to shed those extra pounds and be at your best mentally and physically, you must be prepared to make some lifestyle changes. Consider the 80/20 rule: 80% of the results you get from your efforts will come from your mental preparation, and the rest will come from your physical preparation. Don’t expect that you will lose weight overnight, and don’t be discouraged if your weight loss journey is a slow one. Make sure to enjoy the ride and keep your head up high.
Avoid Fad Diet Pitches
While it’s tempting to try and get into shape by following the latest fad diet, those diets are often times unhealthy and will never provide you with the results you are looking for. The good news is that there is help available. If you want to try and lose weight and don’t want to go the fad diet route, consider taking a closer look at some of the most popular diets that you can safely eat and lose weight on. For example, the Medifast diet, which stands for Medifast Weight Loss Support, uses an approach that is a combination of behavioral therapy and medication to help people lose weight. It is more effective than many other diets and has been shown to achieve weight loss in as little as two weeks. The benefit of this diet is that it takes into account both your physical and mental requirements, as well as your personal preferences when coming up with the perfect plan for you.
Take Advantage Of The Discoveries Of Modern Science
Modern science has made it possible to understand a lot more about weight loss and how to achieve it. If you are truly interested in making a change and being healthier, it’s important to take advantage of all that science has to offer. Studies show that the ideal weight for a woman is between 18% and 22% of her total body weight. Similarly, the ideal weight for a man is between 19% and 24% of his total body weight. There are two ways to achieve these figures. The first is through dietary change, and the second is through exercise. Both approaches have pros and cons, but if you are serious about losing weight, the benefits of exercise outweigh the disadvantages. If you want to achieve the best results, you should aim to workout at least five times a week for 30 to 40 minutes at a time. This will help you increase your metabolism, which in turn will help you lose weight faster than you would otherwise. The key is to find a workout routine that works best for you and stick with it.
It is never easy to lose weight, especially if you are not used to eating unhealthy food. When you do finally succeed at it, you will feel a great sense of accomplishment, knowing that you have chosen the right path for yourself and contributed to the betterment of society as a whole. Never think that you are alone in this struggle; many people are struggling with their weight every day, and many more will likely join your cause as you make the right changes for yourself.