An Effective Diet to Lose Weight

When we make a conscious decision to change our eating habits we are beginning a diet to lose weight. Sometimes we may have health issues, such as high cholesterol, which is what leads us to eat healthier. Far too many times we diet to lose weight because of some eminent health issues that force our hand. It's a shame that we let things get that far. It is possible to just exercise and lose weight, but sooner or later the person will not lose any more weight without changing eating habits as well.

A majority of the time it is just the opposite; people diet, that is they count carbohydrates, fat grams, or calories, somehow limiting their food intake to reach weight loss goals. Any credible source will tell you that a sound weight loss plan will include exercise along with a healthy, smart diet, yet not everyone does this right away. Of course, it is ideal to diet and exercise from the beginning of a diet plan, some people may feel overwhelmed by taking on too much change at once, if exercise has not been a part of their life.

If you're in need of support than there are plenty of online sites that you can visit where you can meet like-minded individuals can get advice or offer support. Some diets work better for some than others, for instance, the Atkins diet required quite a drastic cut in carbohydrates, which may not be an appropriate diet to lose weight for everyone. The South Beach diet, so named because it originated in Miami, it is very popular the moment because it allows the individual to continue to eat the foods they enjoy.

It isn't quite as restrictive. There are also weight loss systems such as Jenny Craig, the LA Weight Loss Center, or Curves for Women. These programs all have benefits and offer excellent support for those individuals who want to diet to lose weight. Exercise is encouraged, and for the Curves for Women plan, it is the central part of the program.

When you make that decision to diet to lose weight is always advisable that you visit your doctor prior to beginning a physical fitness regimen and diet. This is especially true if you have a substantial amount of weight to lose. Exercise should not be contraindicated for anyone and can be tailored for each individual dieter’s specific needs. We diet to lose weight but we also must remember that it is extremely important to incorporate a sound exercise program. You will gain greater health, and also be able to maintain your diet and fitness goals.

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights regarding the world of health and fitness. You can get interesting and informative information by visiting Diet to Lose Weight

Calculating Your Healthy Weight

knowing your personal healthy weight

A healthy weight is something most of us aspire to, but the directions on 'how to get there' are often not as clear as we'd like. If you're a pilgrim on the road to better health, knowing your personal healthy weight can be the first step.

It is quite natural for us to compare ourselves with others when it comes to issues of weight rather than against any objective scientific standards. This can be a problem when you look around your local shopping mall and try and decide what constitutes normal and healthy these days. Deep down we know what is good for us but we continue to nurture the fastest growing levels of obesity on the planet.

So just how do you go about determining your own healthy weight?

Well because there are so many factors that influence our bodies and our health, setting a specific ideal weight for everyone is a difficult task. It is actually more helpful to consider a healthy weight range rather than a specific weight for your given height. Enter the Body Mass Index (BMI).

The Body Mass Index is a simple formula that tells you if you fall within the range of what is considered a healthy weight for your height. The BMI is very useful because it correlates closely to your body fat percentage and all you need to know to figure it out is your weight and your height measurements. You just enter these values into the BMI equation and the resultant figure is your BMI.

To calculate your BMI, follow these steps:

STEP 1 : Your Height Figure | Measure your Height in metres and then multiply that figure by itself (eg: 1.7m x 1.7m = 2.89)

STEP 2 : Your Weight Figure | Measure your weight in kilograms (eg: 70kg)

STEP 3 : Your BMI | To calculate your BMI, divide your Weight Figure by your Height Figure example: 70 divided by 2.89 = 24.22

Then check your BMI against the standard BMI ranges as follows:

• Underweight: BMI less than 18.5
• Ideal Weight: BMI 18.5-25
• Overweight: BMI 25-30
• Obese: BMI 30-40
• Very Obese: BMI greater than 40

If your BMI falls outside the Ideal Weight range, you may need to look further into your particular weight issue, whether it is to reduce your weight or possibly to put on a few pounds. People who maintain an ideal BMI range tend to enjoy the best health. However, it is important to remember that there are many other factors that come into play including our body fat percentage, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, the kind of foods we eat and the amount of physical activity we get. Establishing the benchmark of your ideal healthy weight can actually be a liberating experience as it provides a reference point for taking additional necessary steps on the road to a healthier happy you!

Bo Collins B.PE is a writer and publisher of Healthy Weight A website catering to the interests of wellness and good health with information on the low carb diet plan.

Instant weight loss

When you see a diet that claims instant weight loss results red flags should go up. Infomercials that boast that their diets are easy and you can lose 30 pounds in 30 days are nothing more than weight loss gimmicks. Many people are duped by these diets because they sound good, and because they often have a celebrity or athlete to endorse them. Inspect all weight loss programs for their level of success, not for the hype with which it is promoted.

Your diet should be high fiber with more fruits and vegetables and less fried foods. Think low fat and eat more fish, skinless chicken and extra lean ground beef. Don't keep junk food in the house, and exercise every day.

There is no real way to lose weight safely other than eating fewer calories than you burn. The rate your body burns calories and your low calorie eating habits are the two most important elements to losing weight. If you exercise and lower your caloric intake too much, you'll burn more muscle than fat. This is when your diet fails because you eat more to make up for your body starving, and this is why crash diets never work. The only way you are going to lose weight is to eat a healthy, low fat diet and exercise.