5 Healthy Weight Management StrategiesWeight management is a lifestyle that incorporates the principles of healthy eating and active living. Here are simple things you can do every day that can help you achieve sustainable weight management because we don’t want to lose weight only to gain it back the next day. Show
1. Balance Your Food ChoicesCaloric balance is the key to managing your weight. You do not have to give up your favourite foods just because they are high in calories. The average recommended daily caloric intake is 2200 calories for males, and 1800 calories for females. These values are based on the average weight and physical activity levels of male and female Singaporeans. For a more personalised and accurate caloric requirement, you would need to take into account your age, gender, height, weight, and activity level. Here’s a useful calorie calculator that you can use to generate your recommended caloric intake figure. When you eat more calories than what your body uses, these extra calories will be stored as fat in your body, leading to weight gain. Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) refers to the total number of calories your body expends in 24 hours, including calories
burned through physical activity and basic metabolic activities. Therefore, if you want to lose weight, the number of calories you consume should be less than your TDEE. To balance your calorie intake, you can try one of the following: Smaller serving sizesExercising portion control by reducing your food intake can help you lower your calorie intake so that you do not consume more calories than you burn. Control your food portions by using a smaller serving
plate, sharing desserts and packing home leftovers if you can't finish your food. Budget your caloriesIf your favourite foods are high in calories, you do not have to give them up just because you need to lose weight. Furthermore, studies suggest that avoiding your favourite foods altogether makes them irresistible and may cause you to give in to food cravings, which could in turn lead to overeating. What you can do is to include them but make sure you eat within your caloric allowance. If you choose to have a high-calorie meal, choose a lower-calorie option for your next meal so that your total calorie intake does not exceed your daily calorie allowance. For example, if you meet your friends for a buffet in the evening, try to have a healthier meal for lunch! 2. Watch What You EatHealthy food does wonders for the body. Be mindful of the food choices you make and
select healthier options whenever you can. Here are a few simple rules to bear in mind: Abandon the refined grains! Switch to wholegrain foodsWholegrains could help you manage your weight as they help keep you feeling full longer. It is because wholegrain foods are higher in fibre, which provides bulk. In addition, they are generally digested at a slower rate, hence prolonging the feeling of “fullness”. You can include a wide variety of wholegrain foods (e.g. wholemeal bread, brown rice and oats) in your diet. When shopping for groceries, be sure to look out for the Higher in Wholegrain Healthier Choice Symbol.
 Choose and prepare food with less fatCutting down on high-fat foods will reduce your daily calorie intake and prevent unnecessary weight gain. Did you know that 1g of fat contains 9 calories while the same amount of protein or carbohydrate only contains 4 calories? When you cook:
When you're eating out:
Choose food and beverages with less sugarSugar supplies calories with no nutritional value. These empty calories can spoil your appetite and increase calorie intake. In particular, people with diabetes need to be careful with their blood sugar levels. Here are some tips to reduce your sugar intake:
Up your fruit and vegetable intakeFruits and vegetables are naturally low in calories and high in nutrients and fibre. So increase your intake to provide bulk to fight the hunger pangs! Also, prepare vegetables with healthier cooking methods such as blenching, steaming or stir-frying with less oil. Include lean-protein foodsIn addition to the above strategies, always make sure you have lean protein foods at each meal. Studies suggest that protein may help increase your metabolic rate and stave off hunger for a longer period, potentially aiding in weight loss. Examples of how you could include lean-protein foods in your diet - have low-fat yoghurt or low-fat milk during breakfast, and choose a lean meat/poultry, fish, tofu, or beans during your main meals. 3. Get Your 150 Minutes Of Physical ActivityPhysical activity is essential for effective weight management, as it burns calories that we have consumed over the day. To prevent weight gain, you should accumulate at least 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week while being mindful of your diet. Exercise helps increase the number of calories your body uses as energy and may also contribute to reducing body fats. Moderate-intensity aerobic activity raises your heart rate to 64-75% of your maximum heart rate. You are still able to talk but not sing during the activity. Your maximum heart rate can be calculated using this formula: 220 – (your age). Some examples of moderate-intensity aerobic activity are recreational badminton, brisk walking, leisure cycling and tennis. Vigorous-intensity aerobic activity raises your heart rate to at least 76-95% of your maximum heart rate, During such activity, you will find it hard to hold a conversation with someone. Some examples of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity are basketball, running, soccer and swimming laps. As a rule of thumb, 1 minute of vigorous-intensity physical activity = 2 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity. Therefore, you can try a combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercises to get the recommended amount of 150-300 minutes each week. Remember, daily activities can also be a form of exercise! Start incorporating more movement into your everyday life with these tips:
4. Building StrengthStrength-building activities provide additional health benefits. Strength training not only helps to improve bone and muscle
strength but also contributes to greater muscle mass, which boosts resting metabolic rate, therefore helping your body burn more calories. It is recommended that you do muscle-strengthening activities at least twice a week which involve all major muscle groups (legs, hips, abdomen, back, chest, shoulder and arms). To build muscle, you need to repeat an action. A repetition is one complete movement of an activity, like an arm curl or sit-up. During weight lifting, you should aim to complete 2 to 3 sets of 8 to 12 repetitions of each exercise. Examples of muscle and bone-strengthening activities are hand-held weights, resistance bands, callisthenics, strength training equipment, and rock climbing walls. 5. Have Regular MealsSkipping meals can cause you to snack more often or binge eat, leading you to consume even more calories. Some tips to remember are:
So Remember
One last tip before you embark on your journey to lose weight naturally and healthily: It’s important to get enough sleep as studies have shown that sleep-deprived people tend to experience an increase in appetite, so get a good night’s rest each night if you haven’t already been doing so. Download the HealthHub app on Google Play or Apple Store to access more health and wellness advice at your fingertips. Read these next:
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What behavioral strategies have you used to properly manage your body weight?Control Your Work Environment. Do not eat at your desk or keep tempting snacks at your desk.. If you get hungry between meals, plan healthy snacks and bring them with you to work.. During your breaks, go for a walk instead of eating.. If you work around food, plan in advance the one item you will eat at mealtime.. What are 5 habits or behaviors that can help someone control calorie intake?You can cut calories by eating foods high in fiber, making better drink choices, avoiding portion size pitfalls, and adding more fruits and vegetables to your eating plan. Even a modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight, can produce health benefits.
What is the most important factor in successful weight management?Calorie balance is the most important element in weight loss. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention puts it: “If you are gaining weight, you are eating more calories than your body is using.” Calories play a big role in controlling your weight.
What are 3 strategies for maintaining a healthy weight?Limit portion size to control calorie intake. Be as physically active as you can be. Swap out your usual foods for healthier alternatives. Stay hydrated with water and avoid drinks with added sugar.
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