Weight loss: The basics and small steps to getting started

Weight loss: The basics and small steps to getting started

When it comes to weight loss there are two main trains of thought; exercise and diet change. Weight loss is a simple science in maintaining a positive balance between calories burned and calories in-taken. To loose weight an individual needs to tip the balance so that the amount of calories they burn is greater than the amount they intake. When an individual is burning more calories than they are taking in via food the body burns off fat reserves. This results in weight loss.

You can choose to burn more calories by entering an exercise regime and maintain the same dietary intake. Contrastingly you can decrease the amount of food taken in, or decrease the calorie content of your food  whilst maintaining the same level of exercise as before dieting. Or ultimately the two approaches can be joined to create a larger gap between calories in-taken and burned.

Now that the basic principle of weight loss has been refreshed in your memory it seems simple doesn’t it? This article will provide some easy changes that you can make to integrate exercise and a new diet into your routine.

Firstly it’s not that hard to add a bit more exercise into your daily routine without causing too much additional strain. Including 30 minutes of fast walking into your daily activity is enough to increase your calorie burning rate. Try cutting out short distance drives to the store or a similar destination. Try replacing these drives with a short fast walk, this way you can increase your fat burning rate greatly. It also helps with pollution as the worst contributor of automobile pollution is short term journeys.

In addition to brisk walks replacing short term car journeys, you can include scenic walking as a pass time/hobby. On weekends instead of watching TV or using computers try going for an occasional country walk with family or friends. It can be amazing how much a small lifestyle change can have a positive effect on your waistline. It’s also commonly said that going for scenic walks, country walks or hillwalking helps produce a more positive mental attitude. The experience of scenic walking makes you feel positive, fresh and healthy. This healthy attitude makes it easier to stick to healthy foods and an active lifestyle.

As for changing the diet you have, this too can be done with small steps which allow you to maintain your goals. Many people try going “in too deep” trying to drastically change their entire lifestyle in one swift sweep. This usually leads to crashes and failure. Taking it easy and starting with small goals will make the dieting process easier. Some useful tips include to cut down the amount of bread in your diet. Try eating less sandwiches and switching these for salads or soups. You can still include meat and dressings but the carbs from the bread add up (or in this case subtract). Another tip is to change some meat in your diet for vegetarian alternatives. Instead of using meat every time you make a bologna sauce try using mushrooms and other heavy vegetables every second meal. Small changes to your diet are a great starting point and really helps jump start your dietary change.

The steps advocated in this articles are meant to ease readers into a healthier lifestyle. They do not make drastic changes but allow a simple and gradual way of loosing weight and improving your health.