Feature: Work off That Weight

Does your workplace setting feel like an eating fest every day? If so, and if you find your clothes feeling tighter the more that you indulge, you may be part of a growing trend. A recent survey conducted by CareerBuilder.com revealed that as many as 50 percent of female respondents reported gaining weight since they started their current job. But this doesn’t mean you can’t go against the grain to shed those pounds, starting today. You just may need some extra structure, support, and motivation to help you get on track and stay there. Here you’ll find some helpful advice you can use to resist the extra calories on the job and take control of your own weight.

Be Honest With Yourself

Before you can revamp your eating, you need to identify your biggest downfalls. For instance, do you eat out often, ordering high-fat and high calorie meals? Or perhaps you snack on large portions of fattening treats in the afternoon. Once you know what your area of weakness is, you can make a conscious decision to make healthier choices. Bringing your own healthy, low fat lunch and snacking on fruits, vegetables, and portion-controlled 100 calorie snacks can help you get your calorie intake under control.

Take Control

There are a number of important tips that the experts recommend to help you take control of your eating. For instance, eat breakfast every day to rev up your metabolism and get the best fat burning effect all day long. Plan four to six small meals and snacks throughout the day, rather than eating all of your calories in a few sittings. Also make sure to get enough sleep every night, since this helps your body to regenerate lean muscle tissue and boost your metabolism so it burns calories most efficiently. Finally, make exercise a regular part of your lifestyle. In addition to the fitness benefits, this can also be a great way to manage stress and clear your head.

Join a Program

Following an organized weight loss program can be an easy way to begin eating more calorie- conscious and balanced meals and stay motivated with the support of other people with similar goals. If you don’t have time to cook or count calories, a plan like Jenny Craig that provides pre-packaged meals could be a good choice. However, if eating out is an important part of your lifestyle, programs like Weight Watchers can give you the tools and strategies you need to make healthy choices. The most important thing in selecting any weight loss plan is finding something that will work well with your lifestyle so you can stick with it over time.

Reap the Benefits

In addition to looking and feeling great, reaching and maintaining your recommended weight can also bring some important health benefits. For instance, you can help prevent high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers when you reach, and stay at, your ideal weight and shape. In addition, losing weight can also be a simple, but significant, way to address bladder control issues. A study conducted by the University of California found that losing even 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight can decrease bladder leakage problems.