If you are obese or overweight, losing weight can be a great idea, but it is very important to do it the healthy way. Sudden dieting can cause serious health issues so you should always take the slow approach. This article will give you some ideas for what to do before planning out your weight loss program.
Before you start any dieting or exercising routine, you should see your doctor so that he/she can advise you on a healthy goal to strive for. It is imperative that you do not lose too much weight too fast or you may pay the consequences with your health. Your doctor will also be able to advise on an exercise plan that won't put too much strain on your body in the beginning.
Visiting a nutritionist can also be a good idea before changing your eating habits. On average, men need 1,800 calories per day and women need 1,200, but your number could be much different, based on factors such as height, weight, age, and gender. Before seeing a nutritionist, you should check out the nutrition facts on the foods you eat, and write down the daily number of calories you consume for each meal. This way your nutritionist can not only tell you the number of calories your body needs each day, but also how much to start cutting down at a time. In general, if you cut your calorie intake by more than 1,000 calories each day, your body will evoke a starvation response that can make losing weight even more difficult. Not only will your nutritionist give you the number of calories you should reduce by, they will also explain to you how to create balanced, healthy meals for weight loss. You should focus on cutting down fat and sugar in your diet, while eating foods high in fiber and protein. Eating lean protein foods such as chicken, and high fiber foods like nuts, seeds, and peas will help you feel full without adding to your fat consumption. When you consume sugar, your body burns it instead of fat, so it is also important to replace sugary snacks with berries and other tasty fruits.
Another great source on healthy weight loss is the library. Browse through books about weight loss to get an idea of the different techniques and theories people use to lose weight. Use what you know about healthy weight loss to decide whether these plans might be right for you. You can also use the Internet as a research method, but it is important that you pay attention to the source, as some websites may just be trying to sell you a diet that doesn't work. Even worse, you may find a diet that provides results fast, but at the expense of your health.
Using medical professionals to learn about the needs of your body and healthy ways to lose weight will help you chose and create a weight loss plan suited to your needs. By keeping up your motivation and following the tips in this article, you will be successfully losing weight before you know it.
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