How long did it take you to get fat? Maybe not a lifetime of dedication but probably a few years. So why expect to lose it all in a few weeks? Losing weight takes time and crash diets do not work long term. You can end up weak because you are not eating enough and depressed because as soon as you stop dieting the weight comes back on again.

Why does this happen? The answer is easy enough. Look at your body like a bank account. Put in more than you spend and the account goes up, put in less than you spend and the account goes down. It is just the same with gaining and losing weight. Eat more calories than you spend in energy and your weight will go up. Less and your weight will go down. How much you eat and how much energy you use is your decision.

In fact it was entirely your decision to get fat in the first place. In so doing you committed three of the seven deadly sins. Gluttony, by eating too much. Sloth, by not getting enough exercise and probably Envy of slim people as well. Gluttony and Sloth may not be considered sins these days but they are certainly deadly because they will shorten your life. Envy of slim people could be a good thing, as it may make you to do something about your weight.

So what should you do? Start slowly and do not expect rapid results. To lose weight you will need a lifestyle change, not a diet. Look at what you are eating. Fats, sugars and fizzy drinks will make you put on weight. But it is not necessary to give up everything all at once. A cappuccino with an almond croissant contains 680 calories. Cut this out and you are well on your way to losing a pound a week. Increase your consumption of fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, lean meat and fish. Phase out fried food and drink less alcohol. Easiest of all, be like the slim French. Eat smaller portions. If you only lose a pound a week that is fine. Keep it up and in under four months you will be a stone lighter. Lose two pounds a week and it will be even better, but I would not advise you to lose more than that.

Your more healthy diet should be combined with exercise. Losing weight just by eating healthy food is possible. But it is slower than combining it with exercise and nothing like as good for you. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, jogging, swimming or cycling strengthens the heart and burns off fat. The easiest exercise for most people is walking. Anybody can do it, whether they live in a town or in the countryside. Try to do an hour a day at a moderate speed. This can be split into two half hour session if it is more convenient. Do this every day – try to get into the habit of going for your daily walk.

That is all there is to it. To lose weight you just need a healthy diet and a daily walk. In a year you will be nearly 4 stone lighter, maybe more. It is well worth doing and you will be able to tell people it was your decision to get slim. You are in control, you have decided what to do and know how to do it. Not only that, overweight people will envy you. That will be a really good feeling.

You can feel good this summer without much effort. Why not visit The Senior Walking Fitness Blog for more articles by Peter Stockwell and regularly updated tips on all aspects of health and weight loss.

Article Source: The Easy Way to Lose Weight