The Dos and Don'ts of Losing Weight Safely

Intro

While it may be tempting to drastically cut your calorie intake in order to lose weight quickly, this approach can actually cause you to gain more weight over the long term than you would if you had just maintained your current weight.

Plus, those extreme calorie restrictions can slow your metabolism down, making it harder and harder to continue losing weight as time goes on.

In order to maintain healthy weight loss that results in weight maintenance over time, follow these do’s and don’ts of safely losing weight!

Do sign up for a diet program

notebook written on it "diet plan" along with an apple, pen and weight bell — *Getty Images*

First, do sign up for a diet program. Most plans have people working with a coach or counselor to help them get started.

Talk to the coach about your goals, and any health issues you might have, like diabetes or heart disease, and see if you can find a plan that meets your needs.

If you’re working with someone else on weight loss, talk about what you’d like to eat more often (to keep your motivation up) as well as what foods need to be avoided.

Don’t take shortcuts in your diet

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It’s tempting to take shortcuts in your diet, like skipping meals or eating a pint of ice cream instead of a frozen fruit popsicle. But shortcuts like these can do more harm than good.

Skipping meals will make you feel hungry and irritable, which can lead to overeating later on. Eating a pint of ice cream will likely make you feel sluggish the next day. A better option is to find healthy alternatives that satisfy your craving.

Do switch up your routine

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One way to switch up your routine is to keep a meal plan. It’s essential that you’re aware of what you’re eating. Keeping a meal plan will let you know how much food you need to eat for the day, which helps with portion control too.

In addition, it can be helpful for those who are trying to lose weight and want to track their progress. Meal plans also let you know when it’s time for a snack or when it’s time for your next meal.

Don’t go it alone

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When it comes to losing weight, you should never feel like you’re in this alone.

You can work with a personal trainer, who can help create a workout plan that suits your needs or talk to a nutritionist to find out the best way to cut calories.

Plus, it’s always worth asking friends for advice – they might know something you don’t about healthy eating habits!

Do think about exercise

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Weight loss exercise is important to keep your body healthy during the weight-loss process, which can make the entire process easier.

Exercise also burns calories while at rest, making it a great way to cut calories even when you’re not working out.

When you work out intensely, your body shifts into burning carbohydrates for energy rather than fat.

Plus, there are many other benefits to exercising even when it’s not weight loss related: decreased risk of injury, increased energy levels, and self-confidence…

Don’t stick with a diet you hate

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Some diets focus on cutting out certain foods. But if you don’t like the food, it can be hard to stick with the diet. Look for a diet that has the kinds of food you enjoy eating—that way, it will be easier to stick with it.

Be sure to include both healthy-eating habits and regular exercise in your weight-loss plan.

Exercise helps burn calories; healthy eating helps control appetite so there is less need for snacking or overeating.

Do be careful when eating out

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You should be careful when eating out. It is easy to overeat if the restaurant serves large portions or has delicious but unhealthy food. Plus, the portions they serve may be too big for what you need to eat.

Do cut down on alcohol if you drink it often

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When it comes to losing weight, experts recommend cutting down on alcohol. Moderate drinking is one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men.

Drinking more than this will inhibit your ability to lose weight because alcohol contains a lot of calories that are empty calories.

This means that they provide no nutritional value and can be stored as fat if you are not burning them off through exercise or other healthy activities.

Don’t expect overnight results

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It’s important to start with a diet meal plan that is sustainable in the long term. Pick a food plan that you can stick to for weeks, months, or even years.
Eating right is as important as exercising right when it comes to weight loss.
If your goal is to be healthier, not just thinner, then make sure you’re eating nutritious foods like vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats.

Do make sure you really want this!

Weight loss is a personal decision that should never be taken lightly. You should do your research, know the consequences, and want to lose weight before starting this journey.

However, if you’re ready to start a diet meal plan and implement weight loss exercise into your daily routine then here are some dos and don’ts for losing weight safely.

First, DO set realistic goals for yourself.

The Dos and Don’ts of Losing Weight Safely