Weight loss is a dream for a lot of people and a necessity for many. Right now, the United States has a 42.4% obesity rate, and this condition causes billions of dollars in medical costs each year. Carrying around too much weight can have catastrophic health effects, in addition to making life more uncomfortable and potentially causing damage to your self-image. In this article, you will learn more about setting and meeting weight loss goals so that you can take your life back. 

Assess your overall situation and weight loss goals

Before anything else, you have to take a holistic look at your weight, how much you need to lose, and how you got there. Consult a body mass index (BMI) chart or other scientific resource, and talk to your physician about what weight is best for your height, sex, and age. It's important that you also do some deep work into figuring out your relationship to food and physical activity. Many people overeat due to emotional trauma or need to make lifestyle changes that help them get more active. When you assess these kinds of details upfront, it sets a solid foundation for your weight loss journey. 

Start exercising each and every week

You'll lose weight if you burn more calories than you take in. Exercising on a frequent basis is the best way to make this happen. Set a goal of working out no less than five days per week. Find a gym in your area or build a home gym that you can use each day. Put together a workout plan that's a mixture of strength training and cardiovascular workouts. When you get used to sweating regularly, you'll ramp up your physical activity so that you can start to lose weight. 

Make some positive changes to your diet

Getting your eating under control is one of the most difficult parts of the weight loss journey, but it can have the biggest impact. Figure out how to eat a balanced diet that will get you results. Find out your maximum and minimum calories that will help you meet your goals. Aside from what the scale says, eating more vegetables will lower your blood pressure and reduce your heart disease risk. Drink lots of water and make sure you're cutting out food sources that are the most harmful to you. 

Let these tips get you started toward your weight loss goals.