Weight loss is big business these days, and there are almost endless quantities of diets and programs and supplements and advice to sift through if you you want to lose weight.

But after all the propaganda, the only way to lose weight in a healthy way is this:

1. EAT LESS. 2. MOVE MORE.

EAT LESS
As a nurse, I believe a healthy diet is very important. I recommend eating a diet with lots of variety and as many fresh fruits and vegetable as you can manage. (Vegetables are especially good for you, with fiber for good digestion and lots of vitamins and minerals, but most people don't get enough of them.) Be careful making massive changes to your diet--if you deprive yourself entirely of the things you love (like sweets or "junk food"), you will tend to binge on those things later and gain back all the weight you may have lost on your strict diet. Instead, eat what you love, but be very aware of portion sizes, especially of foods you know are fattening. For example, if you love ice cream, don't try to do without it entirely, but have a SMALL portion as a treat once in a while instead of a big bowl every night.

A lot of special "diet foods" that are "No-fat" or "Low-fat" or "Low-Calorie" have artificial ingredients that I don't love and plus they are often pretty expensive. I find it is better to focus on eating things you know are healthy (lean meat, vegetable and fruits, whole grains) and, again, make sure you eat a variety.

MOVE MORE
The only way to lose weight is to use up more calories than you eat, so your body will convert some of your fat to energy. So if you are not already quite active in your everyday activities, you'll have to spend time on exercise. Pick some active things you like to do, like bicycling or tennis or walking in the park or aerobics or weight-lifting or dancing, and then make appointments in your schedule to do these activities regularly. I find it is easiest to stay consistent if you have a friend (an "exercise buddy") to help motivate you to keep your appointment when you are not in the mood.

If you make some healthy changes to your food intake and increase your amount of activity, you can't help but lose weight.
Source(s):
Nursing education; life with nutritionist mother.


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