Set realistic exercise plans that work with your lifestyle. Create a schedule that is reasonable for you, taking into account your time constraints and responsibilities. Strive to balance pushing yourself and giving yourself time to relax and recuperate. Remember that sustainability is important, so try not to overwork yourself or have too high of expectations.

Find ways to move more throughout the day, such as by using the stairs rather than the elevator, traveling short distances on foot or by bike or partaking in sports or other active pastimes [ 2 ]. Some lifestyle choices are essential besides diet and exercise for sustained fat reduction. You may develop a healthy and sustainable attitude to your weight reduction journey by prioritizing restful sleep and recuperation, controlling emotional eating, monitoring your progress and acknowledging accomplishments.

For optimal fat reduction and general health, getting enough sleep is crucial. To promote hormonal balance, energy levels and recuperation, aim for 7 to 9 hours of good sleep each night.

Additionally, control your stress levels by practicing mindfulness or relaxation techniques, as high stress might interfere with sleep.

Emotional eating can impede efforts toward long-term weight reduction. Instead of resorting to food to deal with emotions, stress or boredom, identify triggers and create alternate coping techniques.

To resolve emotional eating patterns, participate in joyful activities, practice mindfulness or ask friends or specialists for assistance. Track your development frequently to maintain responsibility and drive.

Use tools like a food journal or a fitness app to keep track of your eating and exercise routines. Your success will be supported in the long run by recognizing and rewarding your accomplishments. Maintaining motivation and getting beyond plateaus are frequent obstacles to lasting fat reduction.

You may stay on track and keep moving toward your goals by discovering your intrinsic drive, making necessary adjustments to plateau-busting tactics and rewarding yourself accordingly.

Find and connect with the fundamental motivations driving your desire to lose weight permanently. Think about how it fits with your beliefs, goals for your health or desire for more confidence. Develop a feeling of purpose and remind yourself of advantages beyond aesthetics [ 3 ].

This inner incentive will be a strong motivator for you the entire way. Plateaus are common and might happen while trying to lose weight. Changing your tactics could be essential if progress is sluggish. Review your diet and exercise regimens, and think about adding new activities or increasing the intensity of your current workouts.

You may get beyond stale approaches and restart your development using new ones. You may cultivate a positive mentality and nurture your general well-being by prioritizing self-care activities, practicing self-compassion and acceptance and getting expert advice and help when necessary.

Refrain from rewarding yourself with food for success. Get a massage, get a new gym attire or give yourself a day off to unwind. Rewarding yourself with activities or possessions that contribute to your well-being helps you maintain motivation without delaying your achievement and encourages positive behavior.

Make time for yourself a priority in your daily schedule. Take part in leisurely pursuits that ease tension and enhance general well-being.

This could involve routines like writing, meditation, spending time in nature, or participating in activities you find enjoyable.

Maintaining your balance and drive requires good care of your physical, mental and emotional well-being. As you progress toward weight loss , embrace self-compassion and acceptance.

Be kind and sympathetic to yourself, especially while going through difficult situations. Recognize that mistakes and failures are a normal part of the process.

Develop self-acceptance and put more emphasis on progress than perfection. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge any advancement, no matter how minor. Recognize that lasting weight reduction requires patience and constant work. Be patient with yourself and have a long-term perspective.

Avoid fast fixes and implement long-lasting, incremental improvements [ 4 ]. Eat nutrient-dense, complete, unprocessed foods to enhance your general health. Your meals should contain a mix of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, complete grains and healthy fats. Sustainable fat loss is not about quick fixes or drastic measures but rather adopting healthy habits that can be maintained long-term.

By setting realistic goals, prioritizing nutrition and exercise, practicing self-care and self-compassion and seeking support, you can achieve sustainable fat loss and embrace a healthier lifestyle.

Remember that the journey may have its ups and downs, but staying committed, patient, and consistent can achieve lasting transformation. Embrace the process, celebrate your progress, and enjoy the many benefits of sustainable fat loss.

Your health and well-being deserve nothing less. Sustainable weight loss requires healthy habits like balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and mindful lifestyle choices. It encourages a balanced and sustainable approach to eating, allowing for flexibility and enjoyment while prioritizing nutritious choices for most of your meals and snacks.

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Search for: Search. More Contact Features. Home Supplements Self-testing Exercise Nutrition Tech Mental wellness Product reviews. That equates to about 4—8 pounds a month. Weight loss surgery, or bariatric surgery, requires extensive counseling and careful monitoring, both of which healthcare professionals conduct.

While it may be possible to lose as much as 20 pounds in just 1 month following a fad diet, this type of extreme weight loss is not considered safe or sustainable.

The key to maintaining weight loss is finding a plan that fits your lifestyle, is realistic, and is practical to maintain long term. Diets that heavily restrict your food intake or limit your eating plan to specific types of food can be difficult to adhere to over time.

They may also compromise your nutritional status and overall health. Weight loss happens a little differently for everyone, depending on things like genetics, age, and overall health. However, there are a few key concepts that generally apply.

You may consider working with a primary healthcare professional and a registered dietitian to make sure that any of your weight loss efforts also include adequate and balanced nutrition. There are no magical foods that help you lose weight or keep it off.

Your body processes different types of foods differently. Macronutrients refer to carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Meanwhile, micronutrients are vitamins and minerals.

They can both affect your weight loss outcomes. Protein-rich foods do have a positive effect on weight loss, specifically on your body composition. Proteins can help you feel less hungry.

In contrast, foods high in fats, sugar, and carbohydrates generally work against weight loss and weight maintenance. Most people who are successful in maintaining weight loss avoid or limit these types of foods. Eating too many higher calorie and refined carbs, such as baked goods, cereal, and white flour breads, typically does not provide much nutritional value and can sidetrack your weight loss efforts.

However, certain carbs — such as whole grains that are high in fiber — are an important and healthy part of any weight loss eating plan. Your body automatically burns calories through daily living activities such as breathing. However, additional activities can help balance the effects of any extra energy you take in like foods.

How much and what type of physical activity , such as exercise, you need to do varies from person to person. For weight maintenance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC recommends about minutes of moderately intense aerobic activity each week.

This can be 30 minutes of walking most days of the week or longer periods of intense exercise — like swimming or biking — less frequently. Public health physical activity recommendations also include strength training 2 days a week.

Losing weight and keeping it off is a long-term process. There may be ways to drop a lot of weight quickly, but most people who go this route end up regaining the weight they lost. Also, rapid weight loss may result in negative health effects. To lose weight safely and maintain the weight loss, experts recommend gradual weight loss using eating pattern and behavioral changes you can maintain long term.

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It might also stabilize blood sugar levels , promote regularity, and protect against certain chronic conditions. Food groups like grains and fruit that contain a lot of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, breads, and legumes. Aim to eat 2 cups of fruit and 6 oz of grains daily.

Many vegetables and legumes also contain fiber. The following are examples of foods that contain fiber with their recommended daily servings:. This is known as mindful eating. It can involve the following:. This can result in you eating less.

Try minimizing distractions while you eat and follow these strategies for mindful eating to slow down during your meals. Learn more about mindful eating and weight loss.

Drinking plenty of water can help promote weight loss by reducing your food intake, especially if you drink water before a meal.

It might also work by increasing fat burning , which can help enhance long-term weight loss. Be sure to choose water or other low-calorie drinks rather than sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, which are high in sugar and calories and could contribute to weight gain.

Other benefits from drinking water related to weight loss include helping you stay hydrated while you exercise and helping remove waste from the body.

In general, drinking water helps your body run more efficiently. In addition to changing your diet and exercise routine, getting enough sleep each night may be beneficial for weight loss. One study found that people who regularly sleep less than 7 hours per night are more likely to have a higher body mass index and develop obesity than those who sleep more.

Plus, sleep deprivation might also alter levels of hormones that control hunger and appetite. Not getting enough sleep may be linked to a higher risk of obesity and might negatively affect hormone levels.

Try using a free online calculator like this one to estimate your calorie needs. Eating too few calories can be dangerous and less effective for losing weight. Counting calories may be a helpful tool for some, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.

If you are preoccupied with food or weight, feel guilt surrounding your food choices, or routinely engage in restrictive diets, consider reaching out for support. These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an eating disorder. Here are a few nutritious meal ideas that can support weight loss and include a mix of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs:.

For some nutritious snack ideas, check out this article. You may lose weight more quickly in the first week of a diet plan and then lose weight at a slower but more consistent rate after that. In the first week, you typically lose a mix of both body fat and water weight.

If this is the first time you are changing your diet and exercise habits, weight loss may happen more quickly. Losing 0. Losing pounds per week is a safe and sustainable amount that can help maintain long-term results. Reducing your calorie intake and adding more physical activity to your routine can help you lose weight quickly and sustainably.

Decreasing your intake of processed foods and added sugar can help you lose weight in 7 days. Drinking plenty of water and adding fiber to your diet might also help. Exercising, staying hydrated, and enjoying a balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can help you lose 20 pounds or reach your healthy goal weight.

For safe and healthy weight loss, 0. Eating protein, fat, and vegetables; drinking more water; increasing the fiber in your diet; and adding exercise may all help you reach your weight loss goals.

But there may be other things to consider, like what medications you take, other health conditions you have, your hormones, and genetics. Losing 10 pounds in a week is not realistic or sustainable. Unless a person is consuming a smoothie to replace a meal, they should aim to stick to water or unsweetened tea and coffee.

Adding a splash of fresh lemon or orange to water can provide flavor. Avoid mistaking dehydration for hunger. An individual can often satisfy feelings of hunger between scheduled meal times with a drink of water.

Therefore, people should avoid estimating a serving size or eating food directly from the packet. It is better to use measuring cups and serving size guides. Guessing leads to overestimating and the likelihood of eating a larger-than-necessary portion.

These sizes are not exact, but they can help a person moderate their food intake when the correct tools are not available. Many people benefit from mindful eating, which involves being fully aware of why, how, when, where, and what they eat.

People who practice mindful eating also try to eat more slowly and savor their food, concentrating on the taste. Making a meal last for 20 minutes allows the body to register all of the signals for satiety. Many social and environmental cues might encourage unnecessary eating. For example, some people are more likely to overeat while watching television.

Others have trouble passing a bowl of candy to someone else without taking a piece. By being aware of what may trigger the desire to snack on empty calories, people can think of ways to adjust their routine to limit these triggers.

Stocking a kitchen with diet-friendly foods and creating structured meal plans will result in more significant weight loss. People looking to lose weight or keep it off should clear their kitchen of processed or junk foods and ensure that they have the ingredients on hand to make simple, healthful meals.

Doing this can prevent quick, unplanned, and careless eating. Planning food choices before getting to social events or restaurants might also make the process easier. Some people may wish to invite friends or family members to join them, while others might prefer to use social media to share their progress.

Weight loss is a gradual process, and a person may feel discouraged if the pounds do not drop off at quite the rate that they had anticipated. Some days will be harder than others when sticking to a weight loss or maintenance program.

A successful weight-loss program requires the individual to persevere and not give up when self-change seems too difficult. Some people might need to reset their goals, potentially by adjusting the total number of calories they are aiming to eat or changing their exercise patterns.

The important thing is to keep a positive outlook and be persistent in working toward overcoming the barriers to successful weight loss.

Successful weight loss does not require people to follow a specific diet plan, such as Slimming World or Atkins. Instead, they should focus on eating fewer calories and moving more to achieve a negative energy balance.

Weight loss is primarily dependent on reducing the total intake of calories, not adjusting the proportions of carbohydrate , fat, and protein in the diet. A reasonable weight loss goal to start seeing health benefits is a 5—10 percent reduction in body weight over a 6-month time frame.

Most people can achieve this goal by reducing their total calorie intake to somewhere in the range of 1,—1, calories per day. A diet of fewer than 1, calories per day will not provide sufficient daily nutrition. After 6 months of dieting, the rate of weight loss usually declines, and body weight tends to plateau because people use less energy at a lower body weight.

Following a weight maintenance program of healthful eating habits and regular physical activity is the best way to avoid regaining lost weight. People who have a BMI equal to or higher than 30 with no obesity-related health problems may benefit from taking prescription weight-loss medications.

These might also be suitable for people with a BMI equal to or higher than 27 with obesity-related diseases. However, a person should only use medications to support the above lifestyle modifications. Achieving and maintaining weight loss is possible when people adopt lifestyle changes in the long term.

Regardless of any specific methods that help a person lose weight, individuals who are conscious of how and what they eat and engage in daily physical activity or regular exercise will be successful both in losing and keeping off excess weight.

Fasting—abstaining from eating for some period of time—is an ancient practice that is safe when not taken to extremes. Traditionally, the benefits of fasting have been both spiritual and physical. People who fast for religious reasons often report a stronger focus on spiritual matters during the fast.

Physically, a simple fast lowers blood sugar, reduces inflammation, improves metabolism, clears out toxins from damaged cells and has been linked to lower risk of cancer, reduced pain from arthritis and enhanced brain function.

A common intermittent fasting schedule might restrict eating to the hours of a. to p. But there is no specific, prescribed schedule.

Some people have more or less generous eating windows, setting the rule that they will not eat after, say, p. During a period without eating, insulin levels drop to the point that the body begins burning fat for fuel. Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of intermittent fasting for weight loss.

One possible reason for the success of intermittent fasting is that most practitioners have quit the habit of eating during the late evening and night hours. There are certain people who should not try intermittent fasting without first checking with their doctor, such those with diabetes or heart disease.

It sounds counterintuitive, but many people find success losing weight—especially initially—by eating more fat, not less. The theory is that by eating so many healthy fats and restricting carbohydrates, you enter an altered metabolic state in which you force your body to begin relying on fat for energy, burning away your fat stores instead of sugar for fuel.

Research does show that keto is an effective way to jump-start weight loss and improve blood-sugar levels. However, it is hard to maintain, and to date we are lacking long-term studies that show it to be a sustainable eating pattern for keeping weight off.

Because both weight loss and overall health are tied to some basic eating patterns, we have developed the Harvard Healthy Eating Plate as a model for meal planning and for your overall balanced diet.

Imagine a round dinner plate with a line running vertically down its center dividing it evenly in two. One half of the plate should be taken up by equal portions of whole grains not refined grains like white bread and white rice and healthy protein such as fish, nuts, beans and poultry—not red meat or processed meats.

Two-thirds of the other half should be filled with vegetables, with the remaining portion consisting of fruit. To the other side of the plate, imagine a vessel containing healthy oils such as canola or olive oil.

Use it for cooking or at the table instead of butter. Adhering to its guidelines will optimize your chances of remaining healthy and of maintaining a desirable body weight. Thanks for visiting.

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Let's break down your primary focus for weight loss and weight maintenance, and how they differ. There are many ways to lose weight, but one of the most common methods is establishing a calorie deficit, meaning consuming fewer calories than your body burns per day.

A calorie deficit is required for weight loss, but studies show it is easier to create and maintain a calorie deficit through changing your diet rather than exercising ," advises Younkin.

So, when you're first starting out, try to focus on what's on your plate rather than constantly hitting the gym. Lucky for you, we have a variety of weight-loss meal plans that please any palate. However, going on a restrictive diet is not a way to lose weight for good. Instead of drastically cutting calories and dropping a bunch of weight quickly, you want to create a small calorie deficit that you can keep up with over time," shares Younkin.

This is how you can permanently move your set point—the weight range your body likes to stay in—down over time," says Younkin. Still, maintaining weight loss is notoriously challenging. In fact, a study in BioPsychoSocial Medicine found that nearly 70 percent of people were unsuccessful in maintaining a 10 percent weight loss for two years.

This might make it seem like the odds are stacked against you, but actually, weight maintenance can be successful with a change in focus from weight loss habits. Research has found that exercise might be more important than diet when maintaining a weight loss. The number one thing that people have in common who have lost weight and kept it off is daily moderate to vigorous exercise.

In fact, a study in the journal Obesity found that people who lost an average of 58 pounds and kept it off exercised for around 40 minutes per day.

This exercise didn't have to be consecutive; it could be minute bouts throughout the day, too. But why is exercise more important than diet if diet helped you lose weight in the first place? It all comes down to a balance of calories.

While weight loss requires a calorie deficit, weight maintenance requires a calorie balance—no deficit but also no excess. Daily exercise allowed people to burn more calories throughout the day and, in turn, eat more without having an excess of calories. So you will have to keep up whatever changes you made to your diet in order to maintain weight loss," suggests Younkin.

This explains why restrictive dieters tend to gain the weight they lost back and then some. It's just too hard to maintain those restrictive eating habits. On the other hand, healthy habits like the ones Younkin outlined above—eating smaller portions, increasing vegetable and protein intake and reducing intake of simple carbohydrates, sugar and alcohol—are much more realistic to maintain.

Youkin says, "Once those changes are habitual, focusing on exercise can help you continue to get results. If you are restricting food intake, over-exercising or thinking about food and your body all the time in order to maintain a certain number on the scale, then that is not the healthiest weight for you," says Younkin.

Any changes you make in an effort to lose weight should be habits you can keep up for the long haul. Luckily for us, little changes that you enjoy can add up to big accomplishments over time. Younkin has specific tips for those trying to eat in a way that aligns with their weight loss goals: "Aim to eat every 3 to 4 hours to keep blood sugar balanced, plan healthy snacks and don't feel guilty when you eat something you feel like you shouldn't.

The healthy plate method refers to filling half your plate veggies, a quarter with whole grains and the last quarter with lean protein. This strategy makes portion control easy, without tediously measuring everything.

And, adds Younkin, "Be conscious of sugar and alcohol intake can help too, as those 'empty' calories can add up over time".

When it comes to exercising, find something you actually enjoy. It will make it easier to be consistent. Something is better than nothing," encourages Younkin. If you don't have 45 minutes for a long workout, do 20 minutes or even a minute walk and try to build in more active time later.

If you feel stuck or at a plateau, try mixing up what you're doing or try something new. Lastly, accountability can help when sticking to your healthy lifestyle changes.

Younkin suggests including a friend, hiring a dietitian or working with a personal trainer, so you don't have to do it all on your own.

Weight loss can be hard, but small lifestyle changes that you can keep up with will help you find success. Even if you only lose one pound per month, that's 12 pounds down at the end of the year! Use limited data to select advertising. Create profiles for personalised advertising.

Use profiles to select personalised advertising. Create profiles to personalise content. Use profiles to select personalised content. All vegetables can be nutrient-rich additions to your diet. Aim to eat about 2. Be mindful of your portion sizes when adding these vegetables to your plate.

Healthy fats like olive oil , avocado , nuts, and seeds are great choices for your eating plan. Although some, like olive oil, are considered healthy, they also provide 9 calories per gram, compared to protein and carbs, which provide only 4 calories per gram.

Butter and coconut oil should be enjoyed only in moderation due to their high saturated fat content. Try to assemble each meal with a protein source, healthy fat source, complex carb, and vegetables. The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend combining cardio workouts with weight training for optimal health.

Cardio workouts include things such as walking, jogging, running, cycling, or swimming. Learn more about types of weight training exercises. A combination of aerobic and weight training are good for your health.

While each type of exercise is good on its own, together they are better at helping you lose weight. Fiber moves slowly through the digestive tract and can help you feel fuller for longer to support weight loss. It might also stabilize blood sugar levels , promote regularity, and protect against certain chronic conditions.

Food groups like grains and fruit that contain a lot of fiber include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, breads, and legumes. Aim to eat 2 cups of fruit and 6 oz of grains daily.

Many vegetables and legumes also contain fiber. The following are examples of foods that contain fiber with their recommended daily servings:. This is known as mindful eating. It can involve the following:. This can result in you eating less.

Try minimizing distractions while you eat and follow these strategies for mindful eating to slow down during your meals. Learn more about mindful eating and weight loss. Drinking plenty of water can help promote weight loss by reducing your food intake, especially if you drink water before a meal.

It might also work by increasing fat burning , which can help enhance long-term weight loss. Be sure to choose water or other low-calorie drinks rather than sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, which are high in sugar and calories and could contribute to weight gain.

Other benefits from drinking water related to weight loss include helping you stay hydrated while you exercise and helping remove waste from the body. In general, drinking water helps your body run more efficiently. In addition to changing your diet and exercise routine, getting enough sleep each night may be beneficial for weight loss.

One study found that people who regularly sleep less than 7 hours per night are more likely to have a higher body mass index and develop obesity than those who sleep more. Plus, sleep deprivation might also alter levels of hormones that control hunger and appetite.

Not getting enough sleep may be linked to a higher risk of obesity and might negatively affect hormone levels. Try using a free online calculator like this one to estimate your calorie needs.

Eating too few calories can be dangerous and less effective for losing weight. Counting calories may be a helpful tool for some, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.

If you are preoccupied with food or weight, feel guilt surrounding your food choices, or routinely engage in restrictive diets, consider reaching out for support. These behaviors may indicate a disordered relationship with food or an eating disorder.

Here are a few nutritious meal ideas that can support weight loss and include a mix of proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbs:. For some nutritious snack ideas, check out this article. You may lose weight more quickly in the first week of a diet plan and then lose weight at a slower but more consistent rate after that.

In the first week, you typically lose a mix of both body fat and water weight. If this is the first time you are changing your diet and exercise habits, weight loss may happen more quickly. Losing 0. Losing pounds per week is a safe and sustainable amount that can help maintain long-term results.

Reducing your calorie intake and adding more physical activity to your routine can help you lose weight quickly and sustainably. Decreasing your intake of processed foods and added sugar can help you lose weight in 7 days. Drinking plenty of water and adding fiber to your diet might also help.

Exercising, staying hydrated, and enjoying a balanced diet rich in nutrient-dense foods can help you lose 20 pounds or reach your healthy goal weight. For safe and healthy weight loss, 0.

Eating protein, fat, and vegetables; drinking more water; increasing the fiber in your diet; and adding exercise may all help you reach your weight loss goals. But there may be other things to consider, like what medications you take, other health conditions you have, your hormones, and genetics.

Losing 10 pounds in a week is not realistic or sustainable. For safe and healthy weight loss , aim for 0. Losing 15 pounds in 2 weeks is unrealistic, unsustainable, and likely unsafe. Healthy weight loss is 0. Read this article in Spanish. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

VIEW ALL HISTORY. Weight loss is a common goal, but you may want to know what a healthy rate for weight loss is.