
Weight loss is a journey that requires a combination of a balanced diet, regular exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes. One of the most effective ways to lose weight is by reducing your daily calorie intake. It’s important to note that one pound of fat contains 3,500 calories, so cutting your calorie intake by 500 calories per day on average should result in losing 1 pound per week. However, it’s crucial not to reduce your calorie intake too drastically as this can lead to negative side effects like dizziness, extreme hunger, nausea, micronutrient deficiencies, fatigue, headaches, and gallstones. For most cisgender females, a daily caloric intake of at least 1,600 is needed to maintain their weight, while cisgender males need at least 2,000.
In addition to dieting, exercising is another common weight loss strategy. Some of the best exercises for weight loss include jogging, running, interval training, cycling, weight training, swimming, and Pilates. For instance, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) can burn 25-30% more calories per minute than other types of exercises, including weight training, cycling, and running on a treadmill. Weight training can also help you build strength and promote muscle growth, which can raise your resting metabolic rate (RMR), or how many calories your body burns at rest. Swimming is a great low impact exercise that’s easier on your joints, making it a great option for people who have injuries or joint pain.
When it comes to diet, it’s recommended to consume foods that support a healthy weight loss journey. These include eggs, leafy greens, fish, cruciferous vegetables, chicken breast and some lean meats, potatoes and other root vegetables, beans and legumes, and soups. Foods that can help burn belly fat include chia seeds, grapefruit, legumes and beans, oats/oatmeal, green leafy vegetables, kiwi fruit, cayenne pepper, and avocado.
Lastly, it’s important to make smart choices and set realistic goals. Understand how much and why you eat, manage portion sizes, and be physically active. Also, planning your meals, turning off technology during meal times, and keeping active can contribute to effective weight loss. Remember, weight loss is a gradual process and it’s important to lose weight safely and healthily.


