Top 5 Ways To Lose Weight Safely And For Good

The basic formula to lose weight safely and for good is to decrease the amount of calories that you eat each day and increase how often you exercise. Beware of 'crash diets' that promise to help you shed unwanted pounds in super quick time. These diets are generally too restrictive on certain food types which is not healthy and you'll usually end up putting back on any weight you lost when you stop the diet.

Here are 5 ways to lose weight safely and for good.

1. Cut Back On Unnecessary Calories

Limit the amount of unnecessary calories you eat (eg, starches, sugar, etc.), and eat fewer foods with a high glycemic index. These are foods that quickly raise your blood sugar levels rise after being eaten (eg, white bread, short grain white rice, pies, cakes, pastries).

2. Watch Out For Alcohol

You won't lose weight very easily if you drink too much alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol not only has a negative affect on your waistline but also your skin, liver and brain. Alcohol is very high in calories and a night out boozing can add up to a lot of consumed calories. Alcohol also makes you feel hungrier so you eat more.

3. Drink More Water

It's essential that you keep up your water intake. In addition to helping keep your organs in good working order, you will literally be flushing out the fat that's been hanging on to your body for so long.

4. Exercise Doesn't Have To Be Horrid

There are many different exercises that you can do to lose weight. Exercise doesn't have to come in the form of a running machine or hours at the gym. Just making small changes can make all the difference. For example, use the stairs instead of the elevator,park your car farther away from your destination, or get off public transport one stop early. Try to get in 10,000 steps a day for maximum weight loss benefits.

5. Stay Positive And Allow Yourself An Occasional Treat

Your willpower can be enough by itself to keep you from overeating, and eating unhealthy foods. But there's nothing wrong in allowing yourself a treat every now and then. If you deny yourself all the foods you love, you'll never be able to maintain your diet. If you do eat a little too much one day or miss out on some exercise, don't beat yourself up about it or give up on your weight loss goals. Accept the set back and remain positive that you will, and can, lose fat quickly.