 |
|
What are some easy ways to lose weight?
Approximately 60% of women are overweight and 30% are obese today (American Obesity Association). Most women would feel more positive about themselves if they could maintain an ideal body weight. Perhaps even more importantly, obesity is linked with heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, back pain, some cancers, and infertility. Encouragingly, the risk of death from these conditions decreases dramatically in people who maintain a 5 to 10% weight loss over at least a year (Guideline for Healthy Weight by F.R. Jelovsek, M.D. at www.wdxcyber.com).
Specific diet plans are popular but difficult to follow, and may be too restrictive for long term weight maintenance. Adopting healthy habits may be a more practical means of attaining a healthier weight for many people. In order to lose a pound a week, 500 fewer calories must be accumulated per day (either through reduced food intake or exercise) (Brigham and Women's Hospital). Proven weight loss recommendations include:
- Eat three meals a day (especially breakfast) to minimize overeating
- Eat eight to ten vegetable or fruit servings a day
- For satiation, eat lean protein with every meal
- Abstain from eating sweets for two weeks to quell cravings
- Exercise aerobically and with weights
- Get enough sleep and minimize stress
In order to determine your ideal body weight, you can calculate your body mass index (BMI), which is an approximate measure of body fat based on weight and height. Visit DrKoop.com to do a Body Mass Index checkup. A body mass index within the range of 18.5 to 24.9 is considered healthy.
| |
< previous
|
home |
next >
|
Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and does not serve as a replacement for care provided by your own personal health care team. This website does not render or provide medical advice, and no individual should make any medical decisions or change their health behavior based on information provided here. All pertinent content provided on this website should be discussed with your personal physician to evaluate whether it has any relevance to or impact on your specific condition. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk.
|
|
|
.gif)
