Articles
Weight-loss readiness
Did you answer yes to most or all of the questions?
Did you answer no to more than one of the questions?
If you answer no to more than one of the questions
Content
1. Are you motivated to make long-term lifestyle changes?
2. Have you addressed the big distractions in your life?
3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you'll lose and how quickly?
4. Have you resolved any emotional issues connected to your weight?
5. Do you have support and accountability?
6. Have you embraced the weight-loss challenge?
If you answered yes to most or all of the questions
If you answered no to more than one of the questions
Ready, set, go
3. Do you have a realistic picture of how much weight you'll lose and how quickly?
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is a lifelong process. Start by making sure your weight-loss goal is safe and realistic, such as losing 5% of your current weight.
Then aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week until you reach your goal. This means burning 500 to 1,000 calories more than you consume each day through diet and exercise.
You might lose weight more quickly if you change your habits significantly. Be careful, though. Radical changes that aren't sustainable aren't likely to be effective over the long term.
