| Experts agree that being too heavy is bad for | | | | to make you very hungry for your next meal, |
| your health. Having too much fat can lead to | | | | which could cause you to eat more. In fact, eating |
| serious health problems. More than 300,000 lives | | | | smaller amounts more frequently -- as often as |
| could be saved each year if everyone in America | | | | six times per day -- may be best for losing |
| maintained a healthy weight! Next to smoking, | | | | weight. Bottom line: Eat meals and snacks at |
| obesity is the most common preventable cause | | | | about the same time every day. |
| of death in the United States. | | | | For significant weight loss, you need to make sure |
| Modify your diet | | | | you are burning more calories than you consume. |
| Calories are the basic unit of energy within food. | | | | This usually requires commitment to a disciplined |
| When you eat, your body converts calories into | | | | exercise program. However, there are also many |
| energy. Your body uses what it can and stores | | | | small, simple steps that can help your weight loss |
| the rest in the form of fat. You should eat a | | | | efforts every day. |
| low-calorie diet if you want to lose weight. | | | | There are other quick and easy things that can |
| A calorie is a calorie, whether it comes from a | | | | really help. For example, brush your teeth after |
| brownie or a serving of raw broccoli. The | | | | every meal. You may be less likely to snack, |
| difference between them is the number of | | | | especially on sweets, when you have that fresh, |
| calories, nutrients, fat, and other ingredients in a | | | | clean feeling in your mouth. And another quick tip |
| typical serving. | | | | -- don't shop for groceries when you are hungry! |
| Always eat regular meals, including breakfast | | | | Here's another easy step: define your portions. |
| Skipping meals delivers a double whammy to your | | | | Serve your ice cream in a bowl instead of eating |
| weight loss efforts. When you skip meals, your | | | | it from the carton; put your chips on a plate |
| body goes into "starvation mode," signaling your | | | | instead of eating them from the bag. If you are |
| body to conserve as much energy as possible -- | | | | not keeping track, it is easy to eat more than |
| this builds up body fat. Skipping meals is also likely | | | | you wanted. |