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The following article was published in Your Health Magazine. Our mission is to empower people to live healthier.
Christine Haas, MS, CNS, CPT, Licensed Nutritionist
Why Lose Weight In 2008?
Washington Nutrition Group
. http://washingtonnutritiongroup.com

Why Lose Weight In 2008?

The New Year is here. The turkey, mashed potatoes, pie and other holiday leftovers are finished, but not forgotten. To your dismay, the scale says you have added a few pounds to the weight you were already battling. Since weight loss is the best prevention and cure for many chronic health issues, such as high blood pressure and adult onset diabetes, this may be an important year for you to reach and maintain your weight loss goal.

What does an effective weight loss plan look like?

Weight is lost when fewer calories are consumed than burned on a daily basis. This initial concept is understood by most, but to achieve weight loss goals and keep the weight off patients need a weight loss program that produces immediate results without hunger. An effective weight loss program must also be motivating, easy to follow at home and in restaurants, reasonably priced, nutritionally sound, physician approved, research supported and designed for a lifetime.

There are so many exercise and diet programs to choose from it can be difficult to know where to start. As a practicing personal trainer and nutritionist, I am often asked about the various new exercise and diet programs. Since 80% of weight loss, on average for most adults, is through diet, my advice is to first find a weight loss plan that is designed for a lifetime with three phases; the weight loss phase, a transition period and a weight maintenance program. Exercise can then be incorporated into a daily routine once the weight loss program has been established.

During the weight loss phase, low calorie, low fat, and nutritionally balanced meals should be combined with nutrition counseling. The timing, portion size and nutrient composition of meals should be designed to create rapid weight loss while preserving muscle tissue, and to eliminate physical hunger while providing energy.

To keep the metabolism up and blood sugar levels stable, meals should be consumed six times a day. Increasing daily activity and performing cadiovascular and strength training exercises should be gradually incorporated at this time.

A transition phase should then be implemented carefully under the supervision of a licensed nutritionist when there are only 5-10 pounds left to lose. Weight loss will slow, but will continue while a variety of foods are incorporated. Once the goal weight is achieved, weekly nutrition support should encourage a weight maintenance plan to include healthy snacks and portion control.

For effective weight loss results in the shortest amount of time possible without sacrificing health, contact a nutritionist who has experience and success coaching clients through a comprehensive 3-phase weight loss and weight maintenance program.

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