Ask a hundred people if they want to lose weight and you’ll see a hundred hands go up. Ask those same hundred people how to lose weight and you will see at most five hands raised. The fact is that many people want to lose weight, but not many know how to do it.

So what’s the problem with losing weight? There are many reasons why people might want to lose weight. Some may need to do so for health reasons. The reality is that obesity can lead to major medical problems like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, so those who are at high risk of developing any of these diseases should consider a weight loss regimen. Others want to lose weight simply because they don’t like the way they look. While there is nothing wrong with losing a few pounds, many take the notion of weight loss to dangerous extremes including dangerous diets and exercise routines.

Diet and exercise are fine; in fact, many health professionals would agree that both are essential to staying healthy and living longer. The problem lies in diets that claim you can lose weight fast. Many of these are starvation diets or exercise routines that are too strenuous for your body. There’s a reason every weight-loss commercial tells people to consult their doctor before trying a new diet or exercise regimen. So can you lose weight fast? While some diet and exercise programs may help you lose weight faster than others, anyone who thinks they can lose a hundred pounds in two weeks is in for a rude awakening.

So what is the best way to lose weight? Several things can be done without causing further damage to your body.

• working out: This is a good method to lose weight. When you exercise, you burn calories, which also help you burn fat. By committing to a consistent exercise regimen, you will be able to significantly reduce your weight in a matter of six months to a year. The key to doing this job is consistency. You need to be able to commit to at least one to two hours three days a week in order to lose weight. Now there are some things to consider. First of all, you need to make sure you are healthy enough to be able to exercise. People over a certain age (like forty-five) need to talk to their doctor about whether an exercise regimen is something their bodies can handle.
• Diet: Dieting in addition to a regular exercise routine will help you lose unwanted pounds. There are many diet programs out there, so it becomes a matter of choosing one that works. The best way to decide is to consult a doctor or even someone you know who has been on a diet. You will be able to find out what the diet consists of and whether or not it is right for you.

When it comes to figuring out how to lose weight, it takes a little research and a lot of commitment. As difficult as all these sounds, it will be worth it in the end.