Weight Loss Facts and Tips

Science is great and it has created numerous ways to lose weight. But often times the free weight loss plans are best because they're "tried and true." The elements of such a plan are found throughout this site so you can create your own plan. Let's start with some basic facts to know and tips to include in free weight loss plans:

It's simple. You gain weight when the number of calories you eat is more than the number of calories your body uses.

More than 65% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese.

Do you like the idea of having heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, a stroke or some forms of cancer? If you're obese you increase your risk of suffering from these chronic diseases and more.

Obesity is an excessive amount of body fat. Women with more than 30% body fat are obese. Men with more than 25% body fat are obese.

Overweight is an excessive amount of body weight that includes muscle, bone, fat and water.

Where the fat is on your body is also significant. If you carry fat mainly around your waist, you're more likely to develop obesity-related health problems.

You can't escape it. Healthy eating emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products. This is fundamental to any of the quality free weight loss plans.

A safe rate of weight loss is ½ to 2 pounds per week.

Include lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts in the food section of your free weight loss plans.

Even a weight loss of 5 to 15% of your initial body weight over 6 months can improve your health. For example, you can lower blood pressure and other risk factors for obesity related diseases by losing this weight.

Eat breakfast every day. If you do this you're less likely to overeat later in the day.

Always check with your health care provider before beginning any weight loss or exercise program.

Have a diet (for weight loss and weight maintenance) low in saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium), and added sugar.

Even a modest amount of physical activity can improve your health. Try starting with a 10 minute walk 3 times a week and build up from there.

If you have a setback during execution of your free weight loss plans, accept it and move on. Just keep charging and chase off that excess weight!

Eat three meals a day instead of skipping meals.

Take a walk after dinner instead of watching TV.