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5 Things You Must Know About Losing Weight

1. Know your Body Mass Index. BMI is a calculation which tells you if you are at a healthy weight, overweight or obese. In trying to lose weight, it is necessary to know what category you fall into in order to keep yourself motivated. It is also important to keep in mind the total calorie intake you need per day. One person's caloric need depends on his height and weight. Adding a zero in your weight in pounds will tell you how much calorie your body needs for one day. If you weigh 120 lbs, 1200 calories will do for the day. Eating more than your recommended daily calorie intake will lead to weight gain. In trying to lose weight, be aware of the amount of calories of each food you take.

2. Do not skip meals. Individuals who are trying to lose weight often think that skipping one meal per day will eventually shed off the extra fats stored in their body. While skipping meals will actually lessen your calorie intake, it is a big no for those who want to lose weight. Not taking one meal a day will lead to starvation. This will only lead to fat conversion of the next meal you will take and will make you gain more weight rather than lose some.

3. Drink an adequate amount of water. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day helps flush your body system from the toxins. It also gives you a feeling of fullness especially when taken just before a meal. Since water is a calorie free liquid, it can aid in keeping you full without adding an extra amount of calories. Sometimes, we think that we are feeling hunger when in fact, what our body tells us is that we are dehydrated and it signals us to take in more water. Water helps quench hunger pangs.

4. Take in more fruits and vegetables. There are a lot of products sold in the market which are labeled as “healthy.” What consumers do not realize is that some of these “healthy foods” are actually junk foods in disguise. Foods, especially processed and packaged, are packed with empty calories which can only make you gain belly fats. Nothing beats natural foods such as fruits and vegetables. These foods are not only easily digested by our body, but fruits and vegetables are rich sources of fiber which can aid in healthier digestion. Fruits and vegetables are also known to have fewer calories than junk foods.

5. Combine Ab exercises with Aerobic exercises. Some health buffs believe that doing ab crunches and other ab exercises alone can actually tone abdominal muscles and help lose those fat bellies. Actually, aerobic exercises and cardio workouts can do the weight-losing job better than ab exercises alone. Fat cells tend to shrink with aerobic workouts. A recommended 45 minutes or aerobics and cardio workout three times a week alternating with around 30 minutes of weight lifting or ab exercises to tone your muscles will help you lose weight while gaining the toned abs you are aiming for.

Losing weight is not an easy one time job. It entails a lot of hard work and discipline. It is therefore necessary to have an adequate amount of knowledge on what must be done and what to avoid during your weight loss program.