Tips for Losing Weight

Result: You don’t feel good in your body, and losing 2 to 3 kilos would do you good. Doctissimo gives you some tips to lose weight without mistakes...

You can successfully lose a few kilos under two conditions: changing your eating habits and increasing your physical activity. If you don’t currently exercise, it doesn’t necessarily mean doing intense sports, but a daily walk or some swimming each week can already make a big difference.

Warning! If you need to lose five kilos or more, consult a doctor or a dietitian, as you require regular monitoring.

A Few Key Principles

To lose weight effectively, you should follow some solid principles:

• 1. Give yourself time—at least one month to lose 2 to 3 kilos.

• 2. Prevent cravings and fatigue.

• 3. Stick to the rules set at the beginning.

• 4. Avoid vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

• 5. Do not use weight-loss medications or special diet foods.

• 6. Maintain maximum enjoyment while eating.

Set Rules and Stick to Them

To change your diet, you need to moderately reduce your calorie intake, primarily by cutting down on fats and fast sugars. You must follow healthy eating habits while incorporating a few simple rules:

• 1. Never skip meals, especially breakfast, which should be hearty. Have a light dinner.

• 2. Avoid snacking between meals. If you feel hungry, drink a large glass of water, coffee, or unsweetened tea. Drink water before and during meals as well.

• 3. Continue eating starchy foods at every meal—pasta, rice, potatoes, or bread. They provide a feeling of satiety, energy, and fiber. However, limit high-calorie accompaniments like fatty sauces, butter, cheese, and cream. Eat starchy foods alone or with a low-fat, unsweetened dressing.

• 4. Eliminate sugary soft drinks.

• 5. Cut out alcohol and beer. You may continue drinking wine, preferably red, but limit yourself to one glass per day.

• 6. Avoid eating out frequently, as it's harder to control your diet. At restaurants, it is sometimes manageable, but at a friend's house, it becomes more challenging. If you have a large meal, try to reduce portions and never take second helpings.

• 7. Beware of hidden fats. Avoid meats with sauces, fatty deli meats, creamy gratins, cheese, eggs, fried foods, pastries, sweets, chocolates, ice cream, and snack foods.

• 8. Eat vegetables freely in all forms—raw, cooked, or as soup.

• 9. Eat two fruits per day, but no more.