How to Lose Weight: Weight Loss Tips
Weight loss can feel overwhelming, but it’s doable. Discover how to lose weight, tips for getting started, and how to hit your goals in a healthy way.
This article was reviewed by Lynn Marie Morski, MD, JD.
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Overview
Key takeaways:
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Lose weight by focusing on the fundamentals of weight loss: nutrition, movement, and sleep.
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Additional tips for how to lose weight include eating more protein, drinking more water, and lowering stress levels.
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When lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough, weight loss medications can help you lose weight.
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Get expert support, weight loss tips, and guidance to maintain weight loss long-term.
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How to Lose Weight
If you have excess weight or obesity, losing weight can help lower the chances of developing health problems like:
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Type 2 diabetes
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Heart disease
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Cardiovascular disease
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Sleep apnea
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Joint pain
It can also help you manage existing weight-related medical issues and improve your quality of life.
Weight loss isn’t always easy or straightforward. But there are many strategies you can use to lose weight in a healthy, sustainable way, including lifestyle changes and medication.
How long does it take to lose weight? What is the best way to lose weight? What’s the best food to eat to lose weight? You’re not alone in wondering about these things — and we have answers.
In this weight loss guide, we’ll cover all the basics of weight loss, including step-by-step guidance on how to start losing weight.
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The Basics of Weight Loss
Weight loss might sound pretty simple at first. When you burn more calories than you consume — known as being in a calorie deficit — your body doesn’t get the energy it needs from food, so it turns to stored fat as an energy source instead.
To get into a calorie deficit, you can eat fewer calories and increase the amount of calories you burn by exercising more.
But calories in vs. calories out doesn’t tell the whole story. There’s actually a lot more that can affect your weight — and how easily you’re able to lose it.
Factors that influence weight loss include:
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Genetics. Your genes may impact how much weight you lose over time, your risk of developing obesity in the first place, and where your body stores fat. This last one may be especially true for women.
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Sleep. You probably know firsthand that sleep deprivation can lead to low energy. But sleep — or the lack of it — can also make weight loss harder. Not getting enough rest can mess with your appetite and metabolism while zapping motivation to hit the gym.
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Environment. Your environment can make it harder to lose weight. For example, perhaps healthy foods are expensive and sidewalks nonexistent in your city. Or maybe you work night shifts or usually socialize with behaviors that lead to weight gain, like drinking alcohol or going to happy hour.
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What to Know About How to Lose Weight
It’s worth repeating: Weight loss and weight management aren’t simple math equations.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when learning how to lose weight:
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Weight loss isn’t just a matter of willpower. Why is it so hard to lose weight? Genetics, environment, health conditions, medications, sleep, and stress can all affect weight. So, cut yourself some slack, but don’t be afraid to seek support and guidance from a healthcare professional.
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Slow and steady weight loss wins the race. Rapid weight loss isn’t always healthy. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that those who lose 1 to 2 pounds a week are more likely to keep it off than folks who lose weight quicker. Focus on gradual, consistent weight loss for the best results.
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Weight loss plateaus can happen. This is when weight loss slows or grinds to a halt. It’s frustrating, but 85 percent of people losing weight experience a plateau. To break past a weight loss plateau, switch up your exercise routine, examine your diet, and prioritize rest.
Getting personalized support from registered dietitians, personal trainers, or healthcare providers can also help keep your weight loss efforts going strong.
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Four Pillars of Weight Loss
There’s no one best way to lose weight. In fact, there’s a long list of ways, and the best methods vary from person to person. But for many people, successful, sustainable weight loss counts on four pillars:
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Nutrition
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Physical activity
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Sleep
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Medication
That last one is optional, but it can be immensely helpful for some folks. Having said that, these step-by-step tips for how to lose weight will apply to almost everyone.
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1. Eat Nutritious Foods
Eating nutritious foods can help reduce your overall calorie consumption and still feel satisfied and energized.
You don’t need to count calories, stick to weight loss meals, or follow a plant-based, low-carb, or low-fat diet. In fact, there’s no single best diet for weight loss.
Instead, focus on eating whole foods, and get a variety of:
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Fruits and vegetables
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Complex carbohydrates and whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and quinoa
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Lean protein like chicken, fish, and tofu
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Healthy fats like avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds
One key piece of weight loss nutrition advice: Eat more protein.
Research shows that protein can increase fullness levels (satiety). Plus, a high-protein diet can help you lose weight, retain muscle, and avoid regaining lost weight. Wondering how to lose fat? Protein is a critical part.
Consider lean protein sources like:
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Chicken
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Turkey
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Fish
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Eggs
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Tofu
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Tempeh
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2. Incorporate More Movement Into Your Day
Can you lose weight without exercise? Technically yes, but exercise is extremely beneficial.
Regular physical activity can help you not only burn more calories but also build muscle and improve your heart health, sleep, and mood — to name just a few perks. So, if you can, getting more movement is huge for your weight loss efforts and overall well-being.
General guidelines recommend a mix of:
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Cardio. Aim for 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise a week or 75 to 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity a week. This can include brisk walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming.
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Strength training. Try to do at least two muscle-strengthening sessions a week. This can include bodyweight exercises, weight lifting, or using resistance bands or gym machines.
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Flexibility and balance exercises. Do exercises to improve your flexibility and balance, such as yoga, pilates, and stretches.
Fyi, research suggests that a combination of cardio and strength training may be best for weight loss compared to doing one type of exercise alone.
Beyond structured exercise, try incorporating more general movement into your day. This could include:
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Taking a morning walk
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Standing during phone calls or meetings
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Doing physical chores or yard work
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3. Get Enough Sleep
Not getting enough sleep can make weight loss harder. To help, aim for at least 7 hours a night.
To improve your sleep and hit that number, try:
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Waking up and going to bed at the same times each day — and yes, that includes weekends
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Avoiding screens 1 to 2 hours before bed
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Exercising regularly
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Doing workouts earlier in the day, not right before bed
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Getting breathable bedding or a pillow that suits your preferred sleeping position
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4. Consider Medication
For some, weight loss medication can be an important step toward healthy weight loss.
Weight loss drugs are prescribed alongside eating a healthy diet and doing more exercise. They work in different ways, but many reduce hunger, increase fullness, and curb food cravings. These appetite changes can help you eat nutritious foods and stick to the right portion sizes.
Weight loss medications include injections and pills, such as:
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Semaglutide (Ozempic®, Wegovy® Rybelsus®)
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Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®, Zepbound®)
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Liraglutide (Saxenda®, Victoza®)
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Bupropion
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Metformin
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Topiramate
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Naltrexone
If suitable, a healthcare provider can walk you through your options, including the pros, cons, and side effects to know about.
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5 Tips and Strategies for Weight Loss
Here are a few weight loss tips to keep in mind to make your journey a little easier.
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1. Set Realistic Goals
A goal without a plan is just a wish, right? But the first step is setting that goal.
When it comes to weight loss goals, a healthcare provider can let you know what a healthy weight or body mass index (BMI) would be for you and how much weight you might consider losing to improve your health.
Besides a long-term weight loss goal, think about setting short-term goals to keep yourself motivated along the way.
Zoom out and consider your overall “why” for weight loss too. This could be a long-term health benefit, such as reducing your chances of health problems like high blood pressure (hypertension). Or it might be a day-to-day benefit, like being able to play with your children in the backyard.
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2. Implement Healthy Changes Slowly
You don’t need to overhaul your eating habits and exercise routine overnight. In fact, changing too much too fast can feel overwhelming and backfire.
Instead, pick one or two healthy habits you’d like to build. Then make small changes, and get comfortable with them before implementing other habits.
For instance, you might start by adding an extra serving of vegetables to every meal. Once that feels natural, turn your attention to exercise and try making a lunch-break walk part of your routine.
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3. Drink More Water
Drinking more water can help you feel fuller and cut down on sugary soft drinks or alcoholic beverages. This supports weight loss.
A 2022 review of studies found that drinking a bottle of water before meals can improve weight loss by 2 to 5 pounds over three months.
Sherry, 63, says drinking more water was a key habit in her weight loss journey.
“I ask myself, ’Are you really hungry or are you thirsty?’ I will have a glass of water, and then if I am still hungry, I will eat something small,” says Sherry. “This helps me get water throughout my day, but it has also curbed my random eating because of stress or boredom. I believe it has been a major key to me losing weight.”*
*Customer was compensated for their opinion. Customer’s results have not been independently verified. Individual results may vary.
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4. Lower Your Stress Levels
Weight loss itself can be stressful, but so can many things in life. And stress can affect your weight, sleep, hunger, cravings, and overall health.
Try stress-management techniques like:
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Meditation
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Exercise
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Journaling
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Spending time in nature
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Spending time with loved ones
If you’re struggling with mental health issues like anxiety or depression, reach out to a therapist or healthcare provider for support and treatment options.
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5. Track Your Progress
Tracking your progress can help you stay accountable to your goals.
Consider:
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Tracking your weight or waist circumference
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Taking progress photos
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Logging non-weight metrics like daily steps
Sherry has some advice for daily tracking.
“When I started the program a year ago, I was excited about it and would weigh myself almost every day,” she says. “As we all know, there are ebbs and flows to weight and watching it daily can be frustrating.
“I realized that following a healthy eating plan and weighing myself once a week was a more accurate picture. More importantly, it allowed me to celebrate the wins that the scale doesn’t always show. For example, I can wear an 18-inch necklace comfortably instead of a 20- or 22-inch one.”
So, as well as weekly weight tracking, what else does Sherry recommend?
“Take pictures of yourself each month, and keep them because there will be times when you plateau,” she says. “Having the ability to look back and see how much progress you’ve made is so empowering and motivating!”
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Health and Safety Considerations for Weight Loss
Losing weight can have a hugely positive effect on your health — but it’s not without health and safety considerations.
Here’s what to keep in mind:
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You may lose some muscle. Unfortunately, losing muscle as you lose fat is a risk. To minimize this, eat plenty of protein and do regular strength training.
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Exercise can cause injuries. Start slowly and gradually build your strength and fitness level to avoid getting hurt. Consider working with a trainer or doing a group exercise class to ensure you’re doing each move with proper form.
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Medications can have side effects. Weight loss drugs can come with side effects, like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Your healthcare provider will go over what to expect and how to manage any side effects that pop up.
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How to Kickstart Your Weight Loss Journey
Now that you know the basics — and then some — about weight loss, it’s time to get started. Here are two final key pieces of advice to keep in mind.
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Have a Strong Support System
Everything’s more fun with a friend — even weight loss. Look for people in your life who share your health and fitness goals and see if they want to team up.
You could lose weight with a partner by cooking healthier meals together. Or make exercise more fun by joining a friend on a weekly hike.
Share your weight loss goals with loved ones, and let them support you on this journey.
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Connect With a Healthcare Provider
A healthcare provider can recommend the best weight loss methods for you. They’ll take into account any issues like joint pain or asthma and suggest treatment options like weight loss medication.
For example, there are glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) injections. These medications work by reducing hunger, curbing cravings, and increasing fullness levels.
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FAQs
Get answers to frequently asked questions about how to lose weight below.
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How to lose weight fast?
The fastest way to lose weight may be eating nutritious foods, doing more movement, and taking weight loss medication. The CDC recommends weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds a week.
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What should I eat to lose weight?
To lose weight, eat a variety of whole foods like fruits, veggies, legumes like chickpeas and lentils, whole grains like oatmeal and brown rice, lean proteins like chicken and fish, and healthy fats like avocados and olive oil. Protein and fiber, in particular, can help you feel fuller for longer.
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How does sleep affect weight loss?
A lack of sleep can affect weight loss by increasing the hunger hormone ghrelin and decreasing the fullness hormone leptin. So, when you don’t get enough sleep, you might experience more hunger and food cravings, making it harder to stay in a calorie deficit and lose weight.
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What is blocking my weight loss?
Many things can block weight loss, including poor sleep, stress, eating too many calories, not moving enough, hormones, medical conditions, and hitting a weight loss plateau.
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What is the best way to lose weight?
There’s no single best way to lose weight — different weight loss strategies work for different people. In general, you’ll need to consume fewer calories than your body needs each day. The key steps to losing weight are to:
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Eat nutritious foods
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Do more movement
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Get enough sleep
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Lower stress levels
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards.
**Compounded GLP-1s and oral weight loss kits are compounded products. The FDA does not approve nor review compounded products for safety, effectiveness, or quality.
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This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.