Trying to lose a few pounds? Not going so well?
Weight loss experts will tell you it takes more than a quick resolution to watch the numbers on the scale go down.
"The idea is take it one step at a time. If you do a total makeover of everything you eat and how you move, it's really going to be difficult to sustain," said Dr. Gary Foster.
Once you decide to make the change here are a few tips than can help.
First off, track your weight at least once a week and keep a daily food journal.
"Keep track of a couple things, one is what you eat, and how much you eat, and from that you can get calories, carbs or fats," said Foster.
Also, watch for empty calories. Drinks are big culprits, like alcohol and sodas.
Foster said, "You think about fruit punches, ice teas, all of those have lots of calories. And the body doesn't process liquids like it does solids. So that's an easy fix."
Make sure you exercise, but doctors also warn you still have to watch what you eat.
In order to lose one pound just by exercising, you have to burn 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat.
So you need to watch how many calories you eat every day.
"Let's get the message straight, physical activity is incredibly important. It's great for fitness, great for health, great for reducing risk of diabetes. But just doing more activity this week rather than last week won't increase the amount of weight that you lose," said Foster.
Weight loss experts will tell you it takes more than a quick resolution to watch the numbers on the scale go down.
"The idea is take it one step at a time. If you do a total makeover of everything you eat and how you move, it's really going to be difficult to sustain," said Dr. Gary Foster.
Once you decide to make the change here are a few tips than can help.
First off, track your weight at least once a week and keep a daily food journal.
"Keep track of a couple things, one is what you eat, and how much you eat, and from that you can get calories, carbs or fats," said Foster.
Also, watch for empty calories. Drinks are big culprits, like alcohol and sodas.
Foster said, "You think about fruit punches, ice teas, all of those have lots of calories. And the body doesn't process liquids like it does solids. So that's an easy fix."
Make sure you exercise, but doctors also warn you still have to watch what you eat.
In order to lose one pound just by exercising, you have to burn 3,500 calories to lose a pound of fat.
So you need to watch how many calories you eat every day.
"Let's get the message straight, physical activity is incredibly important. It's great for fitness, great for health, great for reducing risk of diabetes. But just doing more activity this week rather than last week won't increase the amount of weight that you lose," said Foster.
