Most people today want to have more, have better, run faster and fly higher. Never say enough! In this environment finding a healthy weight loss routine can be even more difficult.
People have more appliances, conveniences and processed foods to cut down on preparation time and clean up than ever before. But people are heavier. And they are busier than ever before. Conveniences are supposed to cut down on the number of hours spent on preparation, but people have filled those hours with more things and spending less time with their families.
Weight and stress related diseases are at their peak. Two thirds of Americans are overweight and 1/3 of those are obese. Cardiac disease, diabetes, stroke and cancer are at an all time high. (1)
In order to decrease weight related diseases people have turned to the weight loss industry, which has more than met their needs. But finding a healthy weight loss alternative may be difficult to find with the number of prescription and over the counter supplements that adversely affect the body.
People also suffer from distorted body images that are perpetuated by the media. All around us are pictures of air brushed models who don't even look as good in person as they look in pictures. Hollywood, which once elevated skinny actresses to top positions, is now recognizing that skinny is just skinny; being fit is attractive. (2)
'Diet' doesn't necessarily mean losing weight but eating a healthy diet for proper nutrition. Some people try a starvation diet or taking much less calories than they need to survive and only find that they have put their body in starvation mode. Once they go back to former eating habits they gain even more weight than they had before.
Healthy weight loss means you have a realistic understanding of what you want to achieve. This understanding is based on your own body type and lifestyle and not on that of the most recent bony model.
Define your goals for a healthy weight loss, write them down and put them where you can see them every day. Remember that anything can be accomplished one step at a time. A trip of 1,000 miles starts with one step. Take it slowly and make the changes permanent.
Anytime you feel you are being deprived you will fail. Healthy weight loss does not include denying yourself nutrients or your favorite meals. You'll obsess over them and your failure will be secured.
Start with balanced nutrition and the correct portions of protein, fruits, vegetables and water. Serving sizes are much smaller than you might anticipate. Become familiar with the correct sizes by using a small food scale. Serve the meals on smaller plates and eat more slowly; it is amazing what your brain can convince your body to accept!
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