(image: Pixabay)
The world’s weight issues are becoming increasingly worse, with the World Health Organization calling for widespread action. Their plea came shortly after the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation found that 603 million adults and 107 million children from around the world are obese. That is about 5% of all children and 12% of all adults on the entire planet.
Overweight people tend to face many difficulties when trying to lose weight. Thankfully, there are certain steps that can help address the situation. Based on the suggestions of the following medical experts as well as actual health studies, here are 5 ways in which you can keep the weight off this year.
Avoid crash diets
Fitness expert Jillian Michaels advises against crash dieting when trying to keep the weight off. She stressed that weight loss programs such as trendy diets, fasting, and juice cleanses are not sustainable when it comes to losing weight. They might mess up your metabolism in a way that will lead you to gain back the weight once you’ve finished a program.
Don’t stress eat
Food should never be used for anything, else but nourishment – or occasionally, enjoyment. Treating it as a coping mechanism will only lead to more weight gain and a higher risk of obesity. Even if you’ve successfully lost a lot of excess weight, it could return once you depend on food to make your troubles go away. Find other means to de-stress such as a picking up a new hobby.
Healthier snacking
There are times when you won’t be able to control your hunger, which is why many people develop habits like eating midnight snacks. Of course, you can still make it healthy by whipping up nutritious alternatives of your favorite treats. For instance, Leesa suggests putting a twist on the traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich by incorporating ingredients like fresh fruits. This way, you can avoid sleeping on an empty stomach, and circumvent the extra calories.
Love exercise
The important thing about exercise is to find a pursuit you enjoy because you’re more likely to be consistent with your workouts. “Instead of worrying about calorie expenditure, focus on [finding an] exercise that you love doing,” explains dietitian Alexandra Caspero.
Eat home-cooked meals
Finally, take control of your diet by making your own food. Cornell University’s Global Healthy Weight Registry found that people who find it easy to lose weight often eat home-cooked meals. By preparing your own meals, you can take control of what you consume, which may include monitoring your calorie intake. Even if you don’t have exquisite kitchen skills, there are tons of easy and healthy recipes out there which you can follow.
Losing weight can be a very challenging journey. But as long as you keep a positive attitude and stick to the methods approved by reputable health experts, chances if you stay consistent and motivated you will be successful in the long-term.
