by Connie Rae

Created on: September 28, 2009

There are few women who have not wrestled with the problem of losing a few pounds, or many pounds. Many of us have tried the most popular diet plans, and lost a few pounds, and then gave up because the diet was too restrictive. We couldn't stand the thought of not eating our favorite foods, "ever again."

Keeping our weight at a reasonable, yet healthy number, is a lifetime challenge. The safest way to shed those pounds is to do it slowly and thoughfully. Here are several things to consider:

1. Drink the recommended 8 eight ounce glasses of water daily. There is debate over whether the other fluids we drink in a day count toward those 8 glasses, but why not just drink them anyway. The more fluid we take in, the more fat it will wash out (hopefully!) And keeping your body hydrated while losing pounds is important.

2. Trade sugars for artificial sweeteners. I know there is great debate over the long term safety of artificial sweeteners, but the caloric intake is greatly reduced, and the safety factor may be balanced by losing those excess pounds.

3. Eat more fresh vegetables and fruits, less canned and highly processed ones.

4. Avoid high caloried desserts and snacks. Don't eliminate them, just be smart, and save them for a special occasion (such as late at night after al the kids are in bed!) Make that special occasion once a week or less - something to look forward to!

5. Move toward skim milk on your cereal (and everything else), and dairy products with lower fat content.

6. Keep meat portions under control. Generally speaking, a 3 ounce portion (about the size of a deck of playing cards) is a reasonable portion size.

7. Experiment with lo-calorie recipes. Find ones you like, and substitute them, often, for those hi-calorie recipes.

8. Be aware of the well known Four Food Groups, or the USDA Food Pyramid, and be sure you are eating the minimum daily requirements for maintaining your body's basic needs. Take a daily multi-vitamin.

9. Consider that your body weight can probably be maintained at 2000 or so calories intake a day (more if you are large, less if you are small), but to lose weight, you will have to restrict your calorie intake. It will always be true that weight loss involves more calories out than calories taken in!

10. Exercise. A necessary part of more calories out. Can be as simple as walking 10-15 minutes a day, if you have been sedentary. Just get moving.

11. It is generally known that safe weight loss involves losing 2 pounds a week, or less. If permanent weight loss is your goal, take it slowly. Make the lifestyle changes that will move you toward weight maintenance at the weight of your most optimum health.

A veggie healthy recipe that is said to have been developed by a prominent hospital to assist their heart patients in losing weight before surgery follows. You may eat as much of this every day as you need, in order to feel less hungry. You can adjust the seasonings in the soup to make it "Italian," "South of the Border," or just plain vegetable soup. You can add small amounts of meat, a little rice, some noodles - all the time remembering you have added calories. The soup, itself, has very few calories. Try it. I think you'll like it.

MIRACLE SOUP - 4 - 6 large onions, 2 green peppers, 6 - 8 whole tomatoes (can use canned), 1 head cabbage, 4 - 6 ribs celery, 4 - 6 carrots, may add 1 - 2 small zucchini if desired. Cut the vegetables into small, bite size pieces. Cover with water, in a large pot. Bring to a boil and simmer until the vegetables are done. Add seasoning to your taste. Store in one to two cup containers in the refrigerator or freezer.

Remember that losing pounds safely may take some time, but the results will be worth it.

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