7 Best Ways to Control Your Weight ...

At any one time, there are over a million people trying to lose weight. Statistics suggest that most of them will fail, either through lack of motivation, inability to make lifestyle changes or just not sticking to it. Determined to succeed? Here's my top seven tips on weight control...

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Don't Try to Be Perfect!

Don't compare yourself to celebs with perfect figures, and instead judge yourself on what you can do. Lose five inches from your waist, or to be able to run a mile, give yourself a target that's personalized to you! That way you can track your progress, and won't get unmotivated by unrealistic targets.

Watch Your Carbohydrates!

Most meals contain bread or pasta, which are both carbohydrates. These are hard to digest, and can lead to weight gain....if you are looking to maintain your weight, or to lose a few pounds, try to get most of your carbohydrates during the day, and instead eat couscous and beans at night.

Eat Regularly!

Skipping meals or eating irregularly will lead to cravings and starvation, which are both bad for your waistline! Have a schedule, and eat at around the same time everyday. This will allow your body to 'predict' when your next meal will come, and burn calories slowly until then.

Regular Exercise

Take the stairs, bike to work, park slightly further away...It can be hard to find a formal exercise routine, but even just little bits boost the metabolism and will increase the numbers of calories you burn. So, think about things you could do everyday to do a small amount of exercise, and you'll feel the benefits really soon!

Use the Right Milk!

Make sure you are drinking skimmed milk, and limit your dairy intake to be your RDA. Dairy products are high in saturated fats, which aren't good for you, and most people consume much more then they need too. Check the ingredients, and you'll be shocked what actually contains dairy, including popcorn and baked foods!

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius

Sugar!

Be conscious of how much sugar you consume, and make sure its the least possible amount. With all the "No Added Sugar" notices on food these days, you'd be forgiven for presuming you are consuming less sugar then ever, but really, the artificial sugars can be just as bad. Check the labels, and try to buy products that contain a low amount of sugar. Too much, and your body will convert it straight to fat.

Use the Right Oil!

Avoid animals fats and lard as much as possible, as these are very bad for your health. Try using vegetable oil, and see if you can spot the difference...your body will thank you! Remember to use oil moderately, too!

Making small changes like this to your diet can help you to control and maintain your diet much more easily, and they don't take much time at all!

Have you got a trick that helps you control your weight? Please let me know!!

Photo Credit: flickr.com

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

@Sheila Sorry sbout that, was trying to meet a deadline yesterday. He was a Psychiatrist. Not a very good one. :)

Hi Kati! I loveee carbs and meat...in rest I hate fruits and vegetables....there are not many things that I like to eat...and all that I like is making me fat. For a few months I've adopted a new life style, so far so good, but it's going slowly :)

Diet is so difficult to stick with!! And so true wordss... Lack of motivation!! Micheal Wong, It's so true that if you eat without a hurry and chew it it will digest better and will be less fattening. And as a result you will feel more full with a smaller portion, as long as chew!

A high carb diet can be a good thing under at least one circumstance. I myself not only want to loose fat but also muscle. My muscular development is far beyond what I'm comfortable with or need and is just extra baggage at this point. Here is a diet that is designed for one thing only and that is to loose muscle. If you were to consider using it, of course ask your doctor first. Super Muscle Munchin' Diet Your daily caloric intake should be about 10 multiplied by your bodyweight in pounds. So if you're 200 lbs., take in 2000 calories a day. One day a week, eat at maintenance levels, around 15 times your bodyweight in calories. This will help to keep weight loss process constant. Keep protein and fat intake relatively low, around 15-20% of total calories each, carbohydrate intake relatively high. Might be a time to consider a temporary vegan stint if you can hack it. Your training program should focus primarily on moderate intensity endurance type cardio. This augments your total caloric deficit, and creates an overall catabolic environment which is conducive to muscle loss. Begin with 3 sessions of 20-30 minutes a week, and work up to 5-6 days a week of 30-60 minutes of your chosen activity. Be aware that this kind of training carries a risk of chronic joint aggravation, so ease into it slowly, especially if it's an activity like running. Good activities include walking (especially inclined walking, on hilly terrain or an inclined treadmill) and cycling. Buy a secondhand stationary bike and park it in front of your telly. By the way, I should mention that this is intended to be a temporary eating and training plan, to be used during transition. I don't recommend this level of cardio or this type of diet for the long term. If you intend to continue doing athletic activity, the protein and fat levels suggested are too low. They should be raised to around 30% of total calories after the desired mass loss is achieved.

Tavia, Just like me!!! Chocolate is my weakling!! I fight with my self but sometimes to no veil!! :@

Well sweets are my best friends sometimes. I'm trying for a few months to keep this urge under control cause I never been that fat before in my life so....I loose some weight but I'm still fighting with myself. I want cookies when I'm happy, when I'm sad, even when I'm alone or when I go to a bar or restaurant :) It's always a challenge for me.

Sheila, No of course not! I really don't know what kind of doctor this one is, to suggest something like this!

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