Guest guest Posted June 15, 2006 Report Share Posted June 15, 2006 Controlling weight means having to learn two sets of behavior: weight loss and weight maintenance. According to many health professionals, weight maintenance is more difficult... less than one- third of the people who lose weight are able to keep it off. Long- term success depends upon continuing the good eating and exercise habits that you developed while losing weight. It takes time to make new habits a permanent part of your life. Continue to modify your behavior by: Accepting the fact that you'll still be tempted by " fattening " foods Realizing that you can eat tempting foods in moderation, so you won't feel deprived Increasing low-calorie and low-fat choices to match your daily calorie intake to your needs Trying new forms of exercise and making exercise fun so you'll stick with it Know your eating habits Do you overindulge when eating your " favorite " foods? Do you eat when you're depressed or worried? Do you use food as a reward? Knowing your specific eating habits and keeping track of your daily intake (both calorie and food choices) will help you cut down on how much you eat. Don't let a temporary setback get you down. Go right back to your plan! Stay motivated and continue to focus on your goals. If you can't do it alone get help from family and friends or professional help if needed. Join a weight-loss organization or a health club, invest in a personal trainer or seek the help of a registered dietitian. Your local hospital may even offer a weight loss clinic. Controlling Weight Made Easier Eating can still be fun! With the variety of low-calorie and " light " foods and beverages available today, watching your weight no longer means eating food that tastes like cardboard! More and more good- tasting, reduced-calorie dinner entrees, desserts, diet soft drinks and other foods are now available for consumers. Also, the development and use of a wide variety of low-calorie ingredients known as fat replacers are making many new reduced-fat and light foods and beverages possible. Low-calorie sweeteners, as part of an overall weight-control program, can help you reduce calories and therefore reduce weight. Recent studies show this to be true. Also, low-calorie foods and beverages can help make managing weight easier. They can: Satisfy the natural desire for sweet taste without extra calories Provide choices when juggling calories. Weight can be maintained by saving calories, which you may or may not eat later that day. As long as you don't eat more calories than you need, you will maintain your weight. Help you stay on your weight-control program by keeping your diet interesting and enjoyable. Low-calorie and reduced-fat foods and beverages can easily be made part of your lifelong, sensible weight-control program. Recent surveys indicate that many people are consuming these products as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. You Can Do It! Many people find it hard to accept the facts about weight control. Miracle diets and quick cures are not the answer... permanent lifestyle changes are. The only way to lose weight is to consume fewer calories than your body needs and the only way to maintain weight is to eat as many calories as you need. Exercise more can speed up this process or increase the number of calories you can eat during the day because it'll cause your body to burn more calories. You can't just change your habits for a week or two and then revert to your old ways. You can successfully manage your weight, but it means a lifetime commitment and permanent changes in eating behavior. Weight takes time to gain, and it also takes time to lose. But, once the weight is gone, it's well worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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