Guidelines for Losing Weight (2024)

Since food equals calories, in order to lose weight you must either eat fewer calories, exercise more to burn off calories with activity, or both. Food that is not used to fuel the body is stored as fat.

A major component of losing weight is to make smarter food choices. Here's how:

Limit non-nutritious foods, such as:

  • Sugar, honey, syrups and candy
  • Pastries, donuts, pies, cakes and cookies
  • Soft drinks, sweetened juices and alcoholic beverages

Cut down on high-fat foods by:

  • Choosing poultry, fish or lean red meat
  • Choosing low-fat cooking methods, such as baking, broiling, steaming, grilling and boiling
  • Using low-fat or non-fat dairy products
  • Using vinaigrette, herbs, lemon or fat-free salad dressings
  • Avoiding fatty meats, such as bacon, sausage, franks, ribs and luncheon meats
  • Avoiding high-fat snacks like nuts, chips and chocolate
  • Avoiding fried foods
  • Using less butter, margarine, oil and mayonnaise
  • Avoiding high-fat gravies, cream sauces and cream-based soups

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Eat a variety of foods, including:

  • Fruit and vegetables that are raw, steamed or baked
  • Whole grains, breads, cereal, rice and pasta
  • Dairy products, such as low-fat or non-fat milk or yogurt, low-fat cottage cheese and low-fat cheese
  • Protein-rich foods like chicken, turkey, fish, lean meat and legumes, or beans

Change your eating habits:

  • Eat three balanced meals a day to help control your hunger
  • Watch portion sizes and eat small servings of a variety of foods
  • Choose low-calorie snacks
  • Eat only when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied
  • Eat slowly and try not to perform other tasks while eating
  • Find other activities to distract you from food, such as walking, taking up a hobby or being involved in the community
  • Include regular exercise in your daily routine
  • Find a support group, if necessary, for emotional support in your weight loss effort

UCSF Health medical specialists have reviewed this information. It is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor or other health care provider. We encourage you to discuss any questions or concerns you may have with your provider.

Related clinics

Guidelines for Losing Weight (1)

Weight Management Program

1701 Divisadero St., Suite 500
San Francisco, CA 94143

(415) 353-7999

M-F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Guidelines for Losing Weight (2024)

FAQs

What is the 30 30 30 rule for weight loss? ›

The 30-30-30 rule involves eating 30 grams of protein within 30 minutes of waking up, followed by 30 minutes of low-intensity, steady state cardiovascular exercise. Beyond these steps, the 30-30-30 method doesn't require any changes to other meals or behaviors, restrictions or counting calories.

What are general weight loss guidelines? ›

Change your eating habits:
  • Eat three balanced meals a day to help control your hunger.
  • Watch portion sizes and eat small servings of a variety of foods.
  • Choose low-calorie snacks.
  • Eat only when you are hungry and stop when you are satisfied.
  • Eat slowly and try not to perform other tasks while eating.

What are the rules for weight loss? ›

For weight loss to be effective, one must make gradual, permanent changes to their current lifestyle. The best and safest way to lose weight is to limit high-calorie foods, choosing lower-calorie alternatives and cutting down on food portion sizes. Avoid fad diets and crash dieting.

What is the 80 20 rule to lose weight? ›

The 80/20 rule is simple. Eat nutritious, healthy foods 80% of the time and enjoy foods considered less healthy 20% of the time. It's a more flexible approach to eating, which encourages a balanced diet and indulging in moderation rather than restrictive dieting.

How to lose 30 pounds realistically? ›

To lose 30 lbs at a healthy pace of 1 to 2 lbs per week, you must either reduce your calorie intake or increase your energy expenditure to generate a calorie deficit. This amounts to a 500-calorie loss for 1 lb and a 1,000-calorie deficit for 2 lbs.

What is a realistic weight loss per month? ›

So what is the magic number to lose weight and keep it off? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , it's 1 to 2 pounds per week. That means, on average, that aiming for 4 to 8 pounds of weight loss per month is a healthy goal.

What is a realistic weight loss per week? ›

Aim to lose 1 to 2 pounds (0.5 to 1 kilogram) a week over the long term. To do that, you'll need to burn about 500 to 750 calories more than you take in each day. Losing 5% of your current weight may be a good goal to start with.

Can you lose 100 lbs in 6 months? ›

TikTok influencer Megan (MeggyLosing) lost over 100 pounds in 6 months and kept it off despite living with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. "Don't believe the lie that you can't lose weight with PCOS and Hypothyroidism. It's not easy, but IT'S WORTH IT," she says.

What is the 90 10 rule for weight loss? ›

The 90/10 principle is when 90% of the time you follow your healthy meal plan guidelines closely, while 10% of the time you are free to loosen up and eat what you truly enjoy. Think of the 10% meals as your cheat or free meals.

What is the 5 to 1 weight loss rule? ›

On the 5&1 plan, you're instructed to eat 5 Optavia Fuelings and 1 Lean and Green meal each day. The program recommends eating a meal or a Fueling every 2–3 hours and incorporating 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week.

What is the 3 3 3 rule for weight loss? ›

Try the 3-3-3 Method. Choose 3 different protein sources, 3 fat sources, and 3 carb sources only (All veggies and fruit can count as 1 each). This may feel like too little variety but with endless options of spices and cooking techniques, you can make thousands of combinations.

What is the number one rule for losing weight? ›

Healthy style

Do it the right way – these tips can help. Rule #1: Eat! Taking in fewer calories will promote weight loss, but cutting back too much can bring your metabolism to a screeching halt. Slow and steady is best: reduce your current intake by about 500 calories per day to lose one a pound per week.

What foods should you avoid when losing weight? ›

Generally, it's a good idea to limit deep-fried foods, baked sweets, ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, refined grains, processed meats, artificial sweeteners, alcoholic drinks, and candy.

Does 30/30/30 weight loss work? ›

Ultimately, Burrows says, “There is evidence to suggest that the 30-30-30 method will work, but what truly works for someone is a method that is achievable consistently over the long term.”

What is the Whole30 challenge for weight loss? ›

The Whole30 diet is a strict 30-day elimination diet that many people turn to for weight loss or help with digestive concerns. The program encourages you to cut out alcohol, sugar, grains, legumes, dairy, and additives from your diet for 30 days. It is advertised as a total lifestyle change, rather than a simple diet.

What is a realistic amount of weight to lose in 30 days? ›

So what is the magic number to lose weight and keep it off? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , it's 1 to 2 pounds per week. That means, on average, that aiming for 4 to 8 pounds of weight loss per month is a healthy goal.

Is a 40 30 30 diet good for weight loss? ›

Other studies have found that 40/30/30 plans compared to higher carb approaches and even very low carb keto approaches drive better health outcomes as well as improvements in resting energy expenditure even after weight loss (which is rare since usually weight loss drives down REE), but like most any calorie-reduced ...

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