More than half of the women, almost two-thirds of the men, and a quarter of the
children in our country are overweight, giving us the dubious
distinction of being the fattest country on the planet. The
reasons for this are simple: we're eating too much, we're eating
the wrong foods, and we're exercising too little.
The secret to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight isn't a fad
diet or a prescription weight loss drug or even an herbal
appetite suppressant. The key is exercising regularly and
eating a balanced diet. There's nothing wrong with getting
a little help from some natural supplements as long
as you understand that they won't work unless you do.
Diet
Good nutrition provides natural weight control, so it's logical to follow a low-fat diet. Emphasize fiber-rich plant foods (fresh, whole fruits and vegetables, beans and whole grains) that
contain slow-burning carbohydrates, which yield a steady supply
of energy and satisfy your hunger as well. For protein, look
to nonfat yogurt, skinless chicken, and poached fish.
More diet recommendations.
Exercise
Deciding if you needed to lose a few pounds used to be a simple matter of stepping on the bathroom scale and consulting a weight/height chart. But it’s now recognized that body fat, not body weight, is the more important measure when determining your health status. Regular weight lifting and aerobic exercise are key to reducing your body fat.
More exercise recommendations.
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