Getting Started With a Weight Loss Plan the Smart Way

If you are currently overweight, the idea of getting down to your ideal weight may seem like a dream. But it doesn’t have to be. Even the biggest weight loss starts with just a few pounds. Here is an easy-to-follow Q&A for anyone looking for a weight loss plan the Smart Way and is serious about starting the journey to a thinner, healthier you.

What is going to make this effort to lose weight any different than past failures?

Losing weight is all about making a commitment you can stick to over the long term. You should look at past failures not as mistakes but as steps on a path towards a permanently thinner you. No one succeeds on the first try for anything that is truly difficult, whether it be quitting smoking or losing weight. As long as you are ready to write down a plan of attack, with both long and short term goals, you are ready to make a serious effort at living a healthier life. You also need to have a reliable system of friends and support people in place, too. No one can complete a task like this without the right friends helping you out along the way.

What role should a doctor play in my weight loss plan?

If you are currently suffering from a serious illness or if you have a pre-existing medical condition, you should to talk to a health professional before you get started any weight loss plan. Even if you are perfectly healthy you should include a doctor or a diet specialist as part of your support network. You are going to need specialized advice in some areas a long the way, and you want to make sure you are putting your health first.

Is there one diet plan I should choose above all others?

No, and don’t let anyone tell you that there is only one successful path to a thinner you. The key to picking out a diet that is going to work for your unique situation is to find one that you can stick to. As long as you are getting your necessary vitamins, minerals and nutrition, the sky is the limit. Most successful diets do have some major components in common, however, such as cardio work, calorie counting and about an hour per day worth of exercise.

What sort of exercise should I try?

When most people start a weight loss plan, they think they need to go out and win the New York Marathon in their first week. The truth about exercise and dieting is that you can start gradually. If walking is a comfortable exercise for you to do, start with that. There is nothing wrong with walking for an hour per day, you are burning calories and getting quality exercise. As your body begins to lose weight, you can work towards walking faster each day and eventually get to running or more strenuous exercise. If you have problems with walking, you may want to try some water exercise instead.

What are some realistic weight loss goals?

Depending on how well you are sticking to your weight loss plan and exercise plan, you can expect to lose as much as 10 percent of your total weight and then keep that amount off for six months before you attempt to lose more. Since most people cheat and slack a bit, it may be more realistic to expect five percent which is still quite impressive. Most people stick by the idea that you can lose about 1 to 2 pounds a week, which is a good guideline, if you haven’t been exercising or eating right and you suddenly start, you can lose more pounds a week at the beginning of your diet. Just remember, eating right is important, don’t skip meals just to lose one more pound.

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