Fitness Goal Setting – Weight Loss Diet Solutions

how much and what kinds of food you eat
whether your lifestyle includes regular physical activity
whether you use food to respond to stress and other situations in your life
your physiologic and genetic make-up
your age and health status

Successful loss and management should address all of these factors. And that’s the reason to ignore products and programs that promise quick and easy results, or that promise permanent results without permanent changes in your lifestyle. Any ad that says you can lose without lowering the calories you take in and/or increasing your physical activity is selling fantasy and false hope. In fact, some people would call it fraud. Furthermore, the use of some products may not be safe.

A Realistic Approach to Dieting

Many people who are over or obese have decided not to diet per se, but to concentrate on engaging in regular physical activity and maintaining healthy eating habits in accordance with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, emphasizing lowered fat consumption, and an increase in vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Others who try to diet report needing help to achieve their management goals.

Fad diets that ignore the principles of the Dietary Guidelines may result in short term loss, but may do so at the risk of your health. How you go about managing your has a lot to do with your long-term success. Unless your health is seriously at risk due to complications from being over or obese, gradual loss should be your rule and your goal.

Steps In A Weight Loss Program

Check with your doctor. Make sure that your health status allows lowering your caloric intake and increasing your physical activity.
Follow a calorie-reduced, but balanced diet that provides for as little as one or two pounds of loss a week. Be sure to include at least five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, along with whole grains, lean meat and low fat dairy products. It may not produce headlines, but it can reduce waistlines. It’s not “miracle” science just common sense. Most important, it’s prudent and healthy.
Make time in your day for some form of physical activity. Start by taking the stairs at work, walking up or down an escalator, parking at the far end of a lot instead of cruising around for the closest spot. Then, assuming your physician gives the okay, gradually add some form of regular physical activity that you enjoy. Walking is an excellent form of physical activity that almost everyone can do.
Consider the benefits of moderate weight loss. There’s scientific evidence that losing five to 10 percent of your and keeping it off can benefit your health lower your blood pressure, for example. If you are 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh 180 pounds, and your goal is 150, losing five to 10 percent (nine to 18 pounds) is beneficial. When it comes to successful loss and management, steady and slow can be the way to go.

For many people who are over or obese, long-term and healthy management generally requires sensible goals and a commitment to make realistic changes in their lifestyle and improve their health. A lifestyle based on healthy eating and regular physical activity can be a real lifesaver.

Determining Your Weight/Health Profile

Over and obesity have been associated with increased risk of developing such conditions as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease.

For most people, determining the circumference of your waist and your body mass index (BMI) are reliable ways to estimate your body fat and the health risks associated with being over, overfat or obese. BMI is reliable for most people between 19 and 70 years of age except women who are pregnant or breast feeding, competitive athletes, body builders, and chronically ill patients. Generally, the higher your BMI, the higher your health risk, and the risk increases even further if your waist size is greater than 40 inches for men or 35 inches for women. There are other ways, besides BMI, to determine your body fat composition, and your doctor can tell you about them, but the method recommended here will help you decide if you are at risk. Use the chart to determine your BMI. Then, measure your waist size. Now, with your BMI and waist size determined, use the table below to determine your health risk relative to normal .

Several other factors, including your medical history, can increase your health risk.

How your Doctor Can Help You Lose Weight

See your doctor for advice about your overall health risk and the loss options that are best for you. Together, decide whether you should go on a moderate diet (1200 calories daily for women, 1400 calories daily for men), or whether other options might be appropriate.

Once you and your doctor have determined the type of diet that makes the most sense for you, you may want to choose a product or a plan to help you reach your goal.

Consider: If your doctor prescribes a medication, ask about complications or side effects, and tell the doctor what other medications, including over-the-counter drug products, and dietary supplements you take and other conditions you’re being treated for. After you start taking the medication, tell the doctor about changes you experience, if any.

If your treatment includes periodic monitoring, counseling or other activities that require your attendance, make sure the location is easy to get to and the appointment times are convenient.

Some methods for losing have more risks and complications than others. Ask for details about the side effects, complications or risks of any product or service that promotes loss and how to deal with problems should they occur.

Where appropriate to the program, ask about the credentials and training of the program staff.
Ask for an itemized price list for all the costs of the plan you’re considering, including membership fees, fees for weekly visits, the costs of any diagnostic tests, costs for meal replacements, foods, nutritional supplements, or other products that are part of the loss program or plan.