Weight Loss

Are you looking for that miracle diet which helps you lose weight fast and keep it off? If so, then you are among an increasing majority of Australians who will try many diets over their lifetimes, often with limited success.

Statistically 62% of adults in Australia are considered overweight and obesity rates are increasing each year. Surveys also suggest that most of us are dissatisfied with our weight, regardless of whether we are overweight or not. All of this means that the weight loss industry is booming, with Australians expected to spend $790 million this financial year on the quest to lose weight and improve their appearance.

Weight Loss Programs

So how do we find the right weight loss program? Research indicates that the answer lies in changing our lifestyle, rather than jumping into the latest fad diet. Popular diets like the Cabbage Soup Diet, Grapefruit Diet and Eating in the Zone are just the tip of the weight loss iceberg and it seems that a new ‘success’ diet is advertised every week.

Unfortunately there is no quick fix and a long term approach is required through a holistic and sustainable change in lifestyle. Talking with your doctor is a good first step, who can advise on a healthy weight range based on your age and health and can also provide nutrition and healthy lifestyle information.

So what are some of the factors which lead us to gain weight? Increasingly many of us are working in a sedentary job, eating higher levels of processed foods and are low on exercise. All of these factors can lead to an unhealthy weight and habits which are hard to break. Every dieter knows that early success on a new weight loss program is achievable, but maintaining momentum is where the real challenge lies. The key to weight loss is to ensure that whatever our regime, it’s a maintainable lifestyle shift which over time forms new eating and exercise habits.

Exercise and Weight Loss

Losing weight and developing new healthy habits should always include exercise and there are many ways to increase your exercise levels. Joining a gym or working with a personal trainer will provide you with an exercise regime tailored to you and your needs. If a gym membership or trainer isn’t an option, walking each day is a good start as it can be done almost anywhere, doesn’t come with financial cost and a little can bring beneficial results. As with all exercise, however, it’s important to add variety as our bodies get used to a routine and results can plateau. Try including more challenging terrain and increasing the duration of your walk and avoid boredom by varying your route.

Portion Size and Nutritional Intake

Meal planning is another crucial element to successful weight loss. Ensuring you always have something healthy and satisfying on hand will make it easier to resist temptation when you’ve had a long day and thoughts of a quick takeaway are circling. It’s important to consider serving size and nutritional intake when pre-planning your meals and the Federal Department of Health and Ageing provides useful information on their Measure Up campaign page.

Dining out doesn’t have to be a dieting disaster, with most restaurants including lighter options on the menu. Look for food which has been steamed, poached or baked rather than fried and if in doubt, ask your waiter. If you have a fondness for dessert, try sharing - your sweet tooth will still be satisfied and you’ll have halved your sugar intake.

Research shows that many of us are not drinking enough water and often mistake hunger for thirst. Drinking a glass of water whenever you feel hungry is a good habit to develop and you may find that your body is actually craving fluids rather than the food we’ve reached for in the past.

Weight Loss Motivation

Lastly, it’s important to keep ourselves motivated when attempting to lose weight. Stepping on the scales is only a partial indicator of weight loss, as developing muscle may mean that actual weight loss is lower than expected. Checking yourself in the mirror dressed in your usual clothing will give you a chance to see how your body has changed and rewarding yourself with some special new items will give a positive sense of accomplishment. Becoming more conscious about how you feel and what motivates you individually will ensure that you develop a good foundation for acquiring healthier habits which will last a lifetime.

Comments (1)

Show/hide comments

 Show/hide comment form

Name

Comment

smaller | bigger

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment