Losing and Maintaining Weight

There is simply no magic way to achieve a healthy body weight. Many of the magic pills and diets can lead to significant weight loss for a short period. But the vast majority of people who lose weight using these approaches regain the pounds within a couple of years. It is not what you do for the next few weeks or few months that counts. It is what you do for the rest of your life, including regular activity, healthy eating and maintaining a positive attitude and self-image that determines your ability to stay at and maintain an ideal healthy weight.

Effective weight management is a natural extension of desire to take responsibility for health and take good care of yourself. Don't get in the rut of If . . . , then . . . else .... thinking. If only I lost 30 pounds, then I would be happy with myself. Instead, practice acting as if Action then.. you are a person with the ability to nurture and care for yourself may well be the first step to becoming that person.
Many of us think we need to look like the actors, models or athletes as we watch them on TV or in movies. And advertising messages strengthens the impression that thinness equals happiness. The truth is, we all are different. Body weight and shape are influenced by factors we can't control, including genetics. Your genes determine the number of fat cells in your body as well as your metabolism. This doesn't mean you're destined to be heavy, or that you can't lose weight if you need to. It does mean your progress in a sensible weight management program will be unique. It also means that your ultimate healthy weight may be different.

Loosing excess weight and maintaining a healthy weight is important for good health. But a healthy weight isn't necessarily the one that is suggested by a height/weight chart. There are many techniques for estimating a healthy weight. One of the easiest is to shoot for the lowest weight you've been able to maintain for at least one full year since age 21, when you were active and eating a prudent diet. Ultimately, one should focus on taking care of today, not achieving some future weight goal. There's no rush, since maximum effective weight loss is about a pound per week.
Regular activity is one of the few proven techniques of successful weight maintenance and significantly reduce a number of health risks like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, blood pressure etc. Aerobic exercise is the type that sends a lot of oxygen to heart and muscles. Walking, swimming, bicycling, and group exercise classes are all good examples of aerobic exercise. It is important to practice good technique with each exercise you do, so consider working with a qualified fitness professional/trainer. Most health professionals/trainers agree that it takes at least six months for a new habit to become a part of lifestyle. Keeping records helps to stick to healthier habits until they become second nature. Learn to take it in small steps. That's how most things happen in real life.