Weight Loss - A Way of Life

Millions of dollars are spent by consumers, year after year, on weight loss products, dietary supplements and exercise programs. The results are usually minimal, with the natural tendency to look for something short-term, quick and easy. Along with the obvious physical factors of being overweight, there are many physiological, emotional and psychological factors present as well. A long-term weight loss strategy must be put in place to ensure consistent, long-term results. One's view on losing weight must shift to a new way of thinking, a more holistic approach. Changing life long habits is tough, but necessary to create a healthier lifestyle and a new "way of life".

Exercise, diet and education are three critical components to losing weight, but the acceptable range and scope of each varies greatly across the population. How long should I exercise? What types of exercise should I do? How much should I eat? What should I eat? You can go to the internet, friends and family for answers, and you will get many. You might try a few of their suggestions, usually get frustrated and stop. Or, you'll lose some weight, stop once the desired effect is achieved and gain the weight back. The point is to at least listen to what family and friends are doing, and use that information in your decision-making process. You need to ask, "Is anyone having success long-term?" If there are programs or supplements marketed on the internet that interest you or that you have questions on, see how your doctor feels about them. Your best bet is to seek advice from your health professional. Your doctor will know best what to recommend based on your age and health limitations.

Educate yourself on how to prepare healthy meals with proper cooking recipes. Find recipes or cookbooks that are designed with fat burning foods and ingredients. Look for structure, quick and easy meal plans with recipe variety. Learn and understand your emotional hot buttons and weaknesses. Stress, emotional eating, meal portion size, over eating at meal time, food binges, carbohydrate cravings, lack of spouse support, late night eating, certain food additives and over snacking can be factors in weight loss success. By understanding what motivates and influences you emotionally and psychologically will assist you in developing short and long-term plans to move forward confidently.

Losing weight can be a complex proposition, one that includes many physical, psychological, physiological and emotional elements. By taking on a more holistic approach to weight loss, educating yourself on diets and exercise programs, identifying emotional stressors and having the willpower to change old habits and thought processes will lead to successful, long-term transformation. In order to create a healthier lifestyle, old habits and thought processes must be abandoned to let your new "way of life" begin.

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