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Weight loss and management takes dedication
STILLWATER, Okla. – No matter what form of media a person turns to these days, whether it be television, newspapers, magazines or radio, there always seems to be a message about how to lose weight.
Some reports say cut carbohydrates or fat, while others say exercise more and do not eat after 7 p.m. With messages coming from all directions and all having a different plan of attack, it can be difficult for consumers to determine the best route to take to lose unwanted pounds, said Janice Hermann, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service nutrition specialist.
“Consumers really need to think about their total caloric intake. Oftentimes a diet trend will lean toward one particular food group or one specific nutrient with that angle being the key to weight loss,” Hermann said. “Weight loss really boils down to reducing your intake of calories. Weight management is determined by the number of calories going into the body versus the number of calories the body burns.”
Hermann encourages everyone to eat a balanced diet that contains mostly fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Combine the healthy diet with daily physical activity and it should be easier to maintain a healthy weight.
Hermann said one way to look at calories is to think of them just as you do the family budget.
“If you ‘spend’ too many calories in one day, you know that you’ll need to cut back on calories another day,” she said. “You also can try increasing physical activity to balance the extra calorie intake. Over the course of a week or so, if you’ve ‘saved’ some extra calories, you can have that extra splurge. In looking at calories like this you’re less apt to feel like you’ve blown your calorie budget.”
Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and
Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service
offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national
origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an
equal opportunity employer.
Trisha Gedon
Communications
Specialist
Agricultural
Communications Services
136 Agriculture
North
Oklahoma State
University
Stillwater, OK 74078
405-744-3625
(phone)
405-744-5739
(fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu
