by Thom W. Conroy

Created on: July 19, 2009

Attempting to remain a healthy weight as we age can become difficult, especially for those individuals who have not formed good lifelong habits in the area of nutrition and exercise. It is very comfortable for most people to fall into a sedentary routine of eating what they like and engaging in physical activity only when the mood strikes, but unless an individual is blessed with incredible genetics and metabolism, a weight gain is imminent. While gaining a few pounds here and there is generally not cause for alarm, unchecked over time that extra 10 pounds can easily swell into a substantial weight gain that results in an increased accumulation of body fat and a general decline in health and energy.

Good habits for remaining at a healthy weight begins with being cognizant of your approximate present weight, and what body weight is optimum for feeling and performing your best. This is not to suggest that an individual become fixated on weight issues, just that adjustments to exercise and diet are much simpler in minor weight loss situations. A "mini-diet" that lasts for two to five days every month or two when only five pounds or so need to be shed can become a great habit, not only to control weight but to detoxify your system of food additives and poor food choices. When combined with moderate exercise, this painless theory of weight control can really burn fat and control weight almost effortlessly.

Other excellent habits for remaining at a healthy weight are establishing a daily routine for meals, and ingesting a set number of calories at each one. It is then an uncomplicated process to follow and realize when your eating habits are askew, and the response can be quick and decisive. A smart way to be able to diffuse the impact of poor food choices is to occasionally exercise after a bad day nutritionally - eat a bowl of ice cream, take a 45 minute walk to balance the transgression. Other good habits to maintain a healthy weight are to replace processed snack foods with fresh fruit, and to fore go soda in favor of water or a low-calorie sports drink.

The importance of exercise in weight maintenance cannot be stressed enough, and is imperative in not only fighting obesity but in overall well-being. It's best to think of exercise in terms of it's cumulative effect on health, and to partake of it in forms that are pleasant and short in duration, appreciative of the long-term impact of every 100 calories shed rather than participating in a frenzied rush to lose weight.

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