Guidelines to Weight Loss – Assured results if followed honestly
Ones self image and self confidence often take a beating because of the lack of care we take towards our health and well being. Food is often used as a source of comfort and as a support tool to deal with difficult emotions and unresolved issues. In a day and age where one thrives on the adrenalin that our increasing stress levels provide us and with the media playing a major role in making known and available the convenience food and drinks, it is a wonder if we maintain a healthy lifestyle. This coupled with the hectic schedules that make exercise an inconvenient option, one is soon to hit disastrous results.
Obesity among children is now catapulting into a global concern due to the far-reaching effects weight has on health and medical issues. With the media depicting thin as beautiful, children today are far more aware of their body and are more concerned about their body image and at a much earlier age than before. To lose weight and stay healthy, one must observe certain guidelines that help us reduce our weight and maintain the same.
The first step to this is to think and stay positive. Negative thoughts and self-beating never get us anywhere. One needs to commit oneself to the idea of a fitter self and to the concept of physical and mental well – being. Weight loss essentially means a perfect balance of caloric intake and exercise. The two go hand in hand and one cannot do the job of the other. Once we understand this concept, it is important to keep our positive thoughts and stay motivated.
The second step is to arrive at a plan or schedule to achieve this. To do this one must essentially keep track of the food intake and the primal reason for the weight imbalance. One must analyze the caloric value of the food and the quantity. If there is a medical reason for the weight imbalance, the same should be treated immediately. Sensible decisions about the food chart have to be made. Efforts to eat home cooked food that is rich in fibre and low on fat must be taken. Atleast 10 – 12 glasses of water must be consumed a day. The ideal meal should consist of 5 – 6 servings of cooked vegetables, 6 – 7 servings of fresh fruits/salads, 2 – 3 servings of whole grains/pulses, 2 – 3 servings of milk/poultry/sea food/yoghurt and 3 –4 servings of cereals/bread/rice. The food to be used sparingly include fat/oil/sugar/red meat. This is only a general guideline and not a rigid prescription. Fad diets and yo – yo diets must not be followed.
Once a plan has been made, all necessary steps must be taken to stick to it by having realistic targets to achieve. A sedentary lifestyle can be avoided by maintaining and adhering to an exercise schedule, keeping in mind ones physical capacity. A time of the day must be set aside to diligently work off extra pounds.
Finally, one must do it for oneself and not for others. One must really want it to happen and must be motivated enough to see this through. The beauty of this whole weight loss experience is that one never knows how good one feels till one gets there. All the very best to you.
More about diet plans