on Weight Management
Reasons to lose weight
Losing weight can help with some health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea. You may also feel more energy.
Set your long-term goal
Your goal doesn’t even have to be a specific weight. You may decide on a fitness goal (such as walking 10 miles a week), or a health goal (such as lowering your blood pressure). Choose a goal that is measurable, so you know when you’ve reached it.
Make an action plan
Habits don’t change overnight. Setting your goals too high can leave you feeling discouraged if you can’t reach them. Be realistic. Choose one or two small changes you can make now. Set an action plan for how you are going to make these changes. When you can stick to this plan, make a few more small changes. Taking small steps will help you stay on the path to success.
Track your progress
Write down your goals. Then, keep a daily record of your progress. Write down what you eat and how active you are. This record lets you look back on how much you’ve done. It may also help when you’re feeling frustrated. Reward yourself for success. Even if you don’t reach every goal, give yourself credit for what you do get done.
Get support
Encouragement from others can help make losing weight easier. Ask your family members and friends for support. They may even want to join you. Also look to your doctor, registered dietitian, and fitness professional for help. Your local hospital can give you more information about nutrition, exercise, and weight loss.
About This Article
Publication: Krames Healthsheet;
Publication Date: July 2002; Date Last Modified: July 2002
