In the context of physical health, weight loss is the process of losing body weight, typically by losing fat. Losing excess weight provides valuable benefits, such as better health, higher self-esteem, increased quality of life. To achieve weight loss, more calories must be expended than taken in. This can be achieved by reducing the amount of food consumed, increasing physical activity or a combination of the two.
For healthy weight loss, most experts recommend a combination of healthy eating patterns and regular physical exercise. Other methods of losing weight include use of prescribed or herbal drugs or chemicals that decrease appetite and/or increase physical activity. Increasing metabolism can help enhance any weight loss plan, and eating breakfast in the morning can increase metabolism, as can eat smaller meals throughout the day. Eating four to six small meals, two to three hours apart, is usually recommended. Try not to go too long between meals, as even a five to six hour gap between meals can greatly slow down metabolism.
Surgical options are also available. Liposuction removes targeted area of fat and tissue while bariatric surgeries can result in large weight loss by reducing the size of the stomach or reducing the absorption of food energy. But it is not appropriate for every one. Surgical and drug options may have serious side-effects.
Weight loss hypnosis is yet another option for those wanting to lose weight.
A loss of weight can also be the symptom of some mental or physical diseases or disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, cachexia associated with cancer, AIDS or diabetes.
Weight loss can help to relieve symptoms of a variety of conditions, such as diabetes, back pain and disorders of the spine, pain in the knee or legs, and many heart conditions. For healthy weight loss, a physician should be consulted to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to the individual.-
Another key component of successful weight loss is setting a realistic goal and expectations. Many experts agree that a realistic goal for weight loss should be around 1 pound (half a kilo) per week.