Dieting? - The right thing to do.

Even as we are becoming more and more obsessed with diets and dieting, and diet books and low-fat cookies are flying off the shelf, we seem to be missing the message that and the safest and permanent way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you eat. This is because when you eat less, your body will burn the fat stored in it for energy. And Voila! You are losing weight!

Most people when wanting to lose weight want instant results. They go on crash diets to shed the excess fat but end up putting it back on just as quickly. In fact they gain more than they had lost.

What needs to be done?

What you need to do is to cut down the calories you consume and/or burn more calories through exercise. It has been proved that people who exercise in addition to eating less keep off the most weight and for the largest time. Exercise will help raise your metabolism so you will burn more calories and will feel better both mentally and physically. Also you will be more inclined to stick to your weight loss plans.

While following your weight loss plans you will also need to keep an eye on what kind of foods you are eating .You need to go in for foods that you can eat for a life time - whole grain foods, low fat dairy products, lean meats and proteins, fruits and vegetables - all lead to healthy eating and will also protect you against various diseases in addition to providing you with all the nutritional benefits that you need.

What you need to give up are the foods which are packed with calories - the cakes, the cookies, fatty meats, whole milk and the cream sauces.

Aiming for a weight loss of 1 lb a week would be ideal and is recommended. For this you will have to reduce your food intake by 500 calories a day as there are 3500 calories in 1 lb of stored fat.

Do these for losing weight safely, naturally and permanently -
Down size your portions - This can be easily achieved by taking a smaller plate size while eating.

Drink lots of water - As this will quench your thirst and reduce your appetite too.

Don't skip meals - Instead eat 4 to 5 small meals spaced 3 to 5 hours apart. This will prevent you from overeating.

Choose your carbs carefully - You don't need to avoid all carbs. Just do away with the simple carbs like white sugar, white rice, white pasta and white bread but go for the complex carbs found in whole-grain foods, fruits and vegetables.

Choose bulky foods - Which contain plenty of fiber, water or air. These would include high fiber foods fruits and veges such as beans which are high in bulk but low in calories.

Don't deprive yourself - Eat those small portions of your favorite high calorie foods once in a while so that you don't get frustrated and binge.

Eat more calcium rich foods - Include milk and yogurt in your diet as calcium stimulates fat loss.