Weight Loss

Is it really possible to lose weight and keep it off?
Absolutely. Your genes set the upper and lower limits of what you can safely weigh, but the decisions you make about what you eat, how active you are, and other lifestyle matters determine where you'll fall within that range. Almost everyone who is a bit overweight can safely maintain a 10 to 20 pound (4.6-9.2 kg) weight loss, and some obese people can trim hundreds of pounds. What's the secret? It's no secret, really. Everyone knows what to do: to lose weight, you just have to burn more calories each day than you take in. What's exciting is that both researchers and successful dieters are beginning to figure out how to do it. Here's how you can, too...

Even light exercise will help you burn off excess calories but you should aim to participate in moderate to active leisure on most days.

• Sitting - uses 15 kcals per hour
• Standing/typing - uses 20 kcals per hour
• Light housework - uses 100 kcals per hour
• Walking - uses 130-240 kcals per hour
• Swimming - uses 200-700 kcals per hour
• Running - uses 600-1,000 kcals per hour
• Walking up stairs/skiing - uses 1,000 kcals per hour

Make sure you participate in moderate to active leisure on most days. Why not ask a friend to join you? You can keep each other motivated and losing weight will be easier and more enjoyable.

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