10 Eating Strategies for Permanent Weight Loss

[JaniceBlack]

10 Eating Strategies for Permanent Weight Loss - FROM ACTIVE.COM

If you've ever worn (or chuckled at) one of those "I run so I can eat" T-shirts, this info is for you. How you eat goes hand in hand with your workout plans and is proven to bring people's weight loss goals into their grasp more quickly and easily. Try these top 10 strategies from experts from our Nutrition Together program to help you shed the weight and keep it off.

1. Eat healthy to stay healthy. Studies show that people who eat an unhealthy diet (loaded with fast-food meals, sugary drinks, high-fat snacks, lots of desserts/sweets, and low in fruits and vegetables) have significantly higher rates of chronic disease such as high blood pressure and heart disease. The most successful weight loss programs provide clear and uncomplicated nutrition guidance via tools such as "this is a healthier choice than that" food graphics.

2. Lose weight at a safe rate. Weight lost too quickly often returns -- sometimes with additional pounds. The safest diets promote weight loss of no more than two pounds (or 1 percent of total body weight) a week.

3. Learn how to control emotional eating. Experts estimate that 75 percent of overeating is caused by emotions. Successful weight losers have learned to apply behavior modification tools to help them deal with their emotional eating triggers and learn healthful techniques to help manage these emotions.

4. Control calories and portions. Research has proven time and again that to lose weight you must consume fewer calories than your body expends, regardless of the carbs/fat/protein ratio. Nutrition Together uses a special "food-weight" system to help make these calories-in, calories-out calculations quick and easy to do on the fly -- so you can still eat the foods you love and lose weight.

5. Keep a journal. Studies show that people are most successful at maintaining healthy eating habits when they watch and record the type and quantity of food consumed. Take it a step further with an Accountability Journal to help you track both eating and exercise choices.

6. Weigh yourself often. Frequent weighing is proven to help clients achieve and sustain weight loss. Not weighing in is actually associated with greater weight regain. The Nutrition Together program encourages private, weekly weigh-ins, as well as periodic body fat and waist circumference measurements.

7. Get support and rewards for your successes. Weekly contact with a support person -- and small rewards along the way -- are proven to increase the likelihood of maintaining new healthy habits. Ask for details about our Nutrition Together program that spurs you on with contests, prizes, online support and nonfood rewards for your accomplishments!

8. Eat small, frequent meals. The more meals and snacks you eat a day, the healthier your weight is likely to be. Eating breakfast and eating frequently increases total calorie burn. Aim to eat a healthy breakfast every morning followed by four or five small meals throughout the day.

9. Choose the macronutrient content of your meals wisely. The type of food you select can help you boost your metabolism and feel fuller and more satisfied longer. For example, protein reduces appetite and costs your body the most calories to metabolize. Fiber is filling and helps keep hunger at bay, helping you make wiser choices at major meals.

10. Include strength training, not just cardio. The most successful programs for promoting health and long-term weight control involve combinations of exercise and diet. Balancing cardio exercise with strength training is the best prescription for promoting health, fitness and weight control. Fitness Together and Nutrition Together offer the ideal combination, (healthy eating advice and exercise) under one roof, with private, personalized one-on-one workouts and nutrition guidance.

[determination]

Great Post. I definitely needed the mental reminders that you posted. Healthy thinking and healthy eating.

[EcMjawad1]

Hi Janice,

Great post..thank-you! I like the helpful reminders..as we continue the never ending journey to better health and life.

[itsanewday]

Thank you for the tips. I am still consuming only liquids after gastric plication but soon will have food to contend with. I will keep checking back on the strategies as reminders..

[Traci]

Great Tips to live by ....Thank you

[rodvic1974]

Really good tips. Very important to follow if you have a goal and you want to get there.

I have heard #8 many many times from different doctors, and it's really hard to do that if you have a full time job.

[anisfatima]

all your health and fitness is about your metabolic rate. A higher metabolic rate means that your body is functioning properly, and your weight stays at a healthy level.