In today’s world, people are more conscious of their health than ever before. There is so much information on health, to the extent that we become overloaded with it. Some of the things we see, hear or read about are contradictory which is confusing. However, thereare generally accepted principles for keeping healthy which have been proven over the ages, and one of those is maintaining a healthy body weight.
Maintaining a healthy body weight almost always presupposes other health indicators, such as lower cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels. Also, a healthy body weight promotes a better quality of life, which in turn promotes better health. It therefore promotes a good health cycle.
In order to maintain a healthy body weight, it is important to conform to a proven lifestyle that promotes healthy living. Here are some guidelines that will help you to reach and keep your ideal weight.
1. Count your calories. Calories are needed by the body to continue functioning because it is a source of energy. So it is not a matter of removing calories but of controlling them. The key is to know how many calories you need to burn daily and to eat the corresponding amount daily. Sounds tricky but in can be simple. Here is how to check.
- Weigh in regularly.
- If your weight is increasing at a constant rate, it means you are eating more calories than you are using and vice versa.
- If your weight is constant regardless of whether you are overweight or not, it means that you are eating the right amount of calories for your present weight and energy consumption.
- To lose weight, lower your caloric consumption and increase your energy consumption.
- As soon as you reach your desired weight, modify your intake until you find a balance of caloric intake and energy consumption to keep your weight at a constant, ideal level.
2. Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Most foods are not really harmful to the body for as long as you eat them sparingly and do not overdo it. Cut down on fat, sugar and salt. Eat less meats, dairy products and foods high on processed sugar. Eat more of fruits, vegetables and whole wheat products. Drink plenty of water and lessen intake of alcoholic drinks.
3. Eat regular meals at regular intervals. Eat at least three meals daily. Snack times between meals must be controlled. Start with a good breakfast before you start your day. The logic here is that by eating meals at regular intervals, you keep your energy level up throughout the day. Having long intervals between meals tend to make your body compensate by eating more than usual on the next meal. If you have no regular eating schedule, your body gets confused and will force you to take in as much as you can on the next meal since it does not know when the next meal will come. Refrain from eating late at night when you are about to go to sleep.
4. Eat in small quantities at regular proportions. Eat just enough healthy types of food to keep you energized until the next meal. In most cases, after eating a small meal, you may not feel full immediately. This is because it takes some time for your body to tell your brain that it is already full. Do not eat too fast, enjoy every bite so that by the time you are done you will feel full.
5. Exercise regularly and keep an active lifestyle to maintain health body weight. As already discussed counting your calories also involves burning energy so keep counting!
A healthy body weight may be hard to maintain but if you want to live longer then you have no choice but stick to a program that helps you to keep it.
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