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What Are the Best Tips for Effective Weight Loss?

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

One of the most important tips for effective weight loss is to create a calorie deficit so that more calories are burned than consumed. A person may do well to determine how many calories he needs to burn each month to achieve his weight-loss goal and divide that number by 30 to make a calorie-reduction plan. Exercise is critical as well. Additionally, a person may do well to heed weight loss tips that suggest aiming for gradual weight loss.

One of the best tips for effective weight loss is to create a calorie deficit. To lose weight, a person has to consume fewer calories than he burns. If, for instance, a person burns 2,000 calories each day, he would have to consume fewer than 2,000 calories to shed excess pounds. It's important to keep in mind, however, that a person typically has to burn 3,500 excess calories in order to shed 1 pound (about 0.45 kg).

Slower methods of weight loss are considered the safest approach.
Slower methods of weight loss are considered the safest approach.

Another good tip for effective weight loss is to make a monthly weight loss goal and then set calorie intake plans according to that goal. For example, a person will have to create a calorie deficit of 7,000 calories to lose 2 pounds (about 0.91 kg) each month. He can take this starting number and divide it by 30 to calculate how much of a calorie deficit he'll need each day. To lose 2 pounds (about 0.91 kg) in one month, for instance, a dieter has to divide 7,000 calories by 30 days, arriving at 233 calories. This means he'll have to consume 233 fewer calories than he burns each day to lose 2 pounds (about 0.91 kg) monthly.

A digital bathroom scale may be used to track weight loss.
A digital bathroom scale may be used to track weight loss.

Some of the best tips for effective weight loss are those that include exercise in addition to calorie reduction. Eating less is a good way to lose weight, but a person may lose faster if he includes exercise in his plans. In fact, some people exercise more so that they do not have to cut their calorie intake as much. For example, if a person only needs to create a calorie deficit of 300 calories per day, exercising for an hour may burn that amount. In such a case, he may maintain his calorie intake and still lose weight.

Drinking ample amounts of water is important for weight loss.
Drinking ample amounts of water is important for weight loss.

It is also important to opt for gradual weight loss rather than fast and dramatic change. Most experts agree that gradual weight loss is better for the body than crash dieting and extreme exercise. Losing weight too fast may deprive a person of important nutrients and lead to exhaustion. This type of weight loss may also prove harder to maintain. Often, people regain weight very quickly after their crash dieting ends.

Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison

Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.

Learn more...

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    • Slower methods of weight loss are considered the safest approach.
      By: Alexander Zhiltsov
      Slower methods of weight loss are considered the safest approach.
    • A digital bathroom scale may be used to track weight loss.
      By: Christopher Dodge
      A digital bathroom scale may be used to track weight loss.
    • Drinking ample amounts of water is important for weight loss.
      By: anyaivanova
      Drinking ample amounts of water is important for weight loss.
    • Good eating habits and physical exercise can lead to weight loss.
      By: Mark Hayes
      Good eating habits and physical exercise can lead to weight loss.
    • Spirulina is a highly nutritious herbal supplement that can be used to aid weight loss.
      By: monamakela.com
      Spirulina is a highly nutritious herbal supplement that can be used to aid weight loss.
    • Exercising too hard to losing weight too quickly can lead to exhaustion.
      By: expressiovisual
      Exercising too hard to losing weight too quickly can lead to exhaustion.