by Patricia Cox

Created on: January 10, 2010   Last Updated: June 25, 2010

Have you ever surfed through the many channels on the television late at night? Did you notice that most of them are offering the latest high dollar - high tech device to make your life easier?

On one channel an infomercial will be airing depicting an actor or actress promoting the latest exercise machine.

On another channel, a fitness expert will be demonstrating another machine that he or she created that, if used according to the way he or she intends, you are guaranteed to lose weight.

On yet another channel, another fitness expert will be demonstrating exercises that you should be utilizing in your effort to lose weight.

All of this sounds good , doesn't it?

Do you choose the machine the actor or actress is promoting? The machine that the fitness expert created? Do you save your money and do the exercises that the fitness expert shows?

If only the question of weight loss was that simple, we could all have the body that we dream about.

If you add more activity to your daily life, you will lose pounds and those horrible inches that seem to hide in the worst places.

However, unless you change other aspects of your life and lifestyle, you will almost certainly gain the weight back.

Healthy, long term weight loss can only be attained by a combination of factors.

To achieve your optimum weight range, there are steps that you should take to guarantee that your weight loss will be healthy for you.

1. Consult your doctor:

The doctor needs to make sure that there is not an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease or a thyroid condition, that is causing weight gain. Once assured that you are in good health, the doctor can tell you how many calories a day that you need to be eating, based on many factors, such as bone size and your level of daily activity.

A stay at home mom may not need as many calories a day as a person who has a job requiring a lot of walking, such as a postal carrier.

The doctor can also recommend either an exercise regimen or a few sessions of physical therapy to ensure that you are exercising correctly and performing the right type of exercise for your specific needs.

Another beneficial recommendation that the doctor can make is to refer you to a registered dietician.

2. Consult with a dietician:

A dietician can show you how big proper proportians are for you to be eating, how many times a day you should be eating and the most beneficial part: what foods you should be eating.

If you are eating healthily, your body can burn calories and strengthen muscles that you need to tone and tighten in order to lose weight.

3. Exercise:

Start out slow! Remember, weight loss will not happen overnight. You must give your body time to adjust to the increased physical activity.

One of the easiest things you can do is repetition. Choose an exercise, do sets of 5, take a small break, and repeat.

4. Hydration:

Drink plenty of water. Your body is mostly water and as you exercise, your body will use more water to cleanse itself and flush the fat from the body. Water also helps your body feel full. Drink water with your meals and you will not eat too much at each meal.

If you follow a healthy weight loss plan, you will lose weight in a healthy, consistent and safe manner. It will not happen overnight but you will be rewarded for all of your hard work with a body that is not only more physically appealing but also a body that is healthier, inside and out.

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