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| How to Manage Your Weight | 1. Don't Rely on Magic 
Unfortunately, there is simply no magic way to achieve a healthy body weight. Predominant part of the "magic weight loss" pills, powders and potions can result in significant weight loss just for a short period. But the handsome majority of people who lose weight using these means regain the pounds during further years.
Long-term program can help you maintain a healthy weight. You have to remember and follow it not just for the next six weeks or six months but much longer. In fact, it is what you do for the rest of your life. It means that you have to perform regular activity, follow healthy eating and maintain a positive attitude and self-image. Only all this together will allow you to stay a healthy weight.
2. Forget the "One-Size-Fits-All" Mentality
Many people think they have to look like the superfit models, actresses and athletes who are seen on TV or in the movies. Additionally, numerous commercials intensify the conception that thinness equals happiness. The point is, we are all very different. Body weight and shape are caused by factors we can't control, for example genetics. Your genes regulate the number of fat cells in your body as well as your metabolism.
Don’t be afraid that it can mean that you are destined to be heavy or that you can't lose weight. It means you will achieve your goals with the help of unique sensible weight management program. It also means that your ultimate healthy weight may be different than you used to think.
3. Positive Self-Image
Weight management is often meant as a process of learning to change the things you dislike about yourself. This attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, it makes you concentrate on disliking yourself.
Efficient weight management is just a natural lengthening of your desire to take responsibility for your health and take good care of yourself. Don't think of “If . . . , then . . .”, for example: “If only I lost 30 pounds, then I would be happy with myself”. Instead, practice acting “as if”. Thinking “as if” you are a person with the ability to nurture and care for yourself may be the first step to becoming that person.
4. Set Realistic Weight Goals
It is very important for good health to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. But a healthy weight is not necessarily the one that is suggested by a height-weight scheme. There are many methods for estimating a healthy weight. The easiest one is to shoot for the lowest weight you have been able to maintain for at least one full year since age 21, when you were active and eating a reasonable diet. Who knows -- you might be at your healthy weight right now.
You should concentrate on taking care of yourself today, not achieving some future weight goal.
5. Learn to Play Again
The most important and proven predictors of successful weight maintenance is a regular activity. It essentially reduces a number of health risks, starting from cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure to breast cancer. It’s a pity, we have forgotten what children already know -- that activity is fun. We have also forgotten that exercise is an act of caring and self-respect. It’s not on any account work or punishment.
But if you consider exercise as drudgery, it won't become part of your healthy lifestyle. Try to find activities you will enjoy. The list of possible activities is huge. You can choose from step aerobic, swimming, bicycling, running, walking, dancing, and group exercise classes.
6. Get Stronger
Lift weights is a good thing. Resistance training, whether with weights, machines, elastic bands or tubing, even in water, does more than aid in weight control. It also helps maintain good posture and decrease the risk of diseases like osteoporosis. You may perform strength training just twice a week and this will bring you a long list of benefits. Additionally, stronger muscles burn more calories even when you are at rest.
8. Be Patient and Persistent
Plan and choose attitudes that demonstrate self-acceptance and self-care. It takes practice. Most specialists recommend that you keep a record of your new healthy self-care habits. Just have a few minutes each day to note what activities you did, a general description of the foods you ate, and the positive things you did to take care of yourself. Don’t be in a hurry. Be patient and persistent.
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