What is the best way for me to lose weight?

With so many different weight loss ‘solutions’ out there, it is understandable that you might find it hard to pick the right one for you. Unfortunately, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ answer! For your weight loss plan to be successful it should be tailored to suit YOUR individual needs.

The bottom line is to be kilojoule (energy) wise; however, there are many ways to achieve this. Most people say, "I eat healthily!”, but our society is now what the researchers and health professionals call ’obesogenic’. This refers to the role that environmental factors such as the food supply, urban sprawl, and concerns regarding neighbourhood safety, play in determining both nutrition and physical activity. As a result, it is very easy for extra kilojoules to sneak in, even when we are paying attention to what we eat. Examples include changes in portion sizes due to the way manufacturers make food, the easy availability (and palatability!) of discretionary foods (‘sometimes foods’), and the amount of time we spend socialising around food and alcohol. Over time our weight can creep up and at some point, even start to impact on our health.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Clinical Practice Guidelines tell us that just a 5% loss of weight is enough to improve overall health outcomes, including a reduction in risk of Type 2 Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease. This can be as little as 4-5 kilograms. It is important however to have individualised tailored approach to not only achieve your weight loss goal but to maintain the 'healthier you' once you are there.

Where do I start? I have never tried to lose weight before.

The first step, if you have not already been actively trying to lose weight, might be looking to improve your ‘diet quality’. This means looking at the amounts and types of foods you eat. Taking simple steps to eating more healthily, increasing your physical activity, and adopting healthier habits through changing lifestyle behaviours will get you on the right path to weight loss.

I think I have a well-balanced diet, so what might work for me?

What might be a weight loss approach for me – I have tried a lot of diets before?

I have seen the shakes and meal replacement diets – who are these best suited to?

Remember the bottom line is always to be energy wise no matter the approach you take. And do not forget the importance of getting the right plan tailored to your individual needs. Health practitioners working at Lifestyle Metabolic specialise in dietary counselling methods that focus on the behaviour of eating. We use a coaching approach to weight management and healthy eating that draws on evidence-based strategies to promote a life-skills focus to facilitate lifestyle change to assist our clients achieve a more comfortable and healthy weight.

For further information, advice, and support towards being a healthier you, make an appointment to see one of our healthcare professionals at Lifestyle Metabolic.

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