Take Off Excess Weight with Goals, Changes and Food Labels

Americans are getting fatter. We’re putting on the excess weight at an alarmingly rapid rate. And we’re sacrificing our health for the sake of super-sized portions, biggie drinks, and two-for-one value meals.

Obesity, once thought by many to be a moral failing, is now often classified as a disease. Although experts may have different theories on how and why people become overweight, they generally agree that the key to losing weight is a simple message:

  • Eat less and move more ~ your body needs to burn more calories than you take in.

The first step to losing excess weight is setting a realistic goal. To reach your goal safely, plan to lose weight gradually. A weight loss of one-half to two pounds a week is usually safe. If you plan to lose more than 15 to 20 pounds, and have any health problems or take medication on a regular basis, see your health care professional before you begin an excess weight loss program.

Next, change your eating habits. Dieting may conjure up visions of eating very little ~ but you can enjoy all foods as part of a healthy diet as long as you don’t overdo. To be successful at losing that excess weight, you need to change your LIFESTYLE and not just go on a diet.

Finally, use those food labels, they are there for your benefit. Even when restricting calories and portions, you should use the Nutrition Facts panel on the food label to make sure you get all the essential nutrients for good health. Too often, people use the food label only when they want to restrict calories and fat and not as a tool to help them increase the nutrients they need to get in adequate or greater amounts.

Oh, BTW, fat free doesn’t equate to calorie free, so watch it. You will find sugar may be added to make those “fat-free” items taste better.

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