7 Suggestions for effective weight loss

aicha fellaki
5 min readMay 21, 2024

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The secret to a healthy lifestyle and improved weight control is a nutritious food and balanced way of living.

Keeping a diet and weight journal, getting social support, and exercising frequently are some weight loss strategies.

Ten suggestions for effective weight loss :

People who follow a few realistic steps can lose weight and keep it off. Among them are the following:

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1- Eat varied, colorful, nutritionally dense foods.

The basis of a person’s diet should consist of nutritious meals and snacks. Making sure that each meal has 50% fruit and vegetables, 25% whole grains, and 25% protein is an easy method to build a meal plan. 25–30 grams of fiber should be consumed overall.Every day, Trusted Source (g).

Reduce your consumption of saturated fats, which are strongly associated with the risk of coronary heart disease, and get rid of trans fats from your diet.
As an alternative, people might eat unsaturated fats like polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA).

The foods listed below are nutritious and frequently high in nutrients:

  • legumes, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, including oatmeal and brown rice
  • fresh produce, seafood, and fruits

Foods to avoid eating include:

  • foods with added oils, butter, and sugar
  • fatty red or processed meats
  • baked goods
  • bagels
  • white bread
  • processed foods

Sometimes cutting out particular items from the diet can result in a person lacking in important vitamins and minerals.

A person pursuing a weight loss program can receive advice from a nutritionist, dietitian, or other healthcare professional on how to ensure they are getting adequate nutrients.

2- Keep a food and weight diary.

A key component of weight loss success is self-monitoring. To track every food item they eat each day, people can use a specialized website, mobile app, or paper journal. Another way they might track their development is by keeping a weekly weight log.

A person is far more likely to maintain a weight loss program if they can recognize physical changes and track their progress in tiny increments.

3- Engage in regular physical activity and exercise.

Exercise on a regular basis is essential for both mental and physical health. For weight loss to be successful, increasing physical activity frequency in a deliberate and controlled manner is frequently essential.

It’s best to engage in one hour of moderate-intensity exercise every day, like brisk walking. The Mayo Clinic advises that if an hour a day is not feasible, one should try to get at least 150 minutes per week.

They act in this manner and progressively up the ante. The best way to guarantee that regular exercise becomes a part of their routine is to take this strategy.

People may benefit psychologically by tracking their physical activity in the same way that maintaining a food journal can aid in weight loss. After logging food consumption and exercise, a person can use one of the many free mobile applications available to track their calorie balance.

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If someone is new to exercising and finds the idea of a full workout frightening, they might start by practicing the following exercises to get more exercise:

  • taking the stairs
  • raking leaves
  • walking a dog
  • gardening
  • dancing
  • playing outdoor games
  • parking farther away from a building entrance

It is unlikely that those with a low risk of coronary heart disease will need to be evaluated medically before beginning an exercise program.

However, for some individuals, particularly those who have diabetes, a previous medical evaluation may be advised. Anyone with questions concerning appropriate exercise dosages ought to consult a medical expert.

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4- Eliminate liquid calories.

Drinking tea, juice, soda with added sugar, or alcohol can result in the consumption of hundreds of calories every day. These are referred to as “empty calories” since they add extra energy content without improving nutrition.

A person should try to limit their intake to water, unsweetened tea, and coffee, unless they are using smoothies as a meal substitute. A squeeze of fresh orange or lemon can add taste to water.

Do not confuse thirst with hunger. A glass of water can frequently quench one’s hunger between meals that are scheduled.

5- Measure servings and control portions.

Gaining weight can occur by eating too much of any meal, including veggies that are low in calories.

As a result, consumers ought to refrain from consuming food straight out of the package or gauging the portion size.

Serving size guidelines and measuring cups work well. Making assumptions increases the risk of overeating and consuming more food than is necessary.

When dining out, the size comparisons below can be helpful in keeping an eye on how much food is consumed:

  • quarter of a cup is a golf ball
  • one-half of a cup is a tennis ball
  • 1 cup is a baseball
  • 1 ounce (oz) of nuts is a loose handful
  • 1 teaspoon is 1 playing die
  • 1 tablespoon is a thumb tip
  • 3 oz of meat is a deck of cards
  • 1 slice is a DVD

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6- Eat mindfully.

A lot of people gain from mindful eating, which is paying close attention to what, when, how, where, and why they consume.

Being more aware of one’s body leads directly to making healthier dietary choices.

In addition to trying to eat more slowly and savor their food, attentive eaters focus on the flavor. Giving a meal 20 minutes to complete allows the body to register all of the satiety cues.

After a meal, it’s crucial to concentrate on feeling content rather than full and to keep in mind that not all “all natural” or low-fat foods are necessarily healthy options.

In addition, people may think about the following queries before selecting a meal:

  • Is the “value” for the price in calories good?
  • Will it make you feel full?
  • Are the ingredients wholesome?
  • How much fat and sodium is in it, if it has a label?

7- Stimulus and cue control.

Numerous environmental and social stimuli may promote overindulgent eating. For instance, some people are more prone to overindulge in food when they watch TV. Some find it difficult to hand over a dish of candies to another person without nibbling themselves.

People can come up with ways to modify their routine to limit these triggers by being conscious of what could make them want to nibble on empty calories.

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