You've tried the strict diets. You've counted calories, and measured fat grams. Losing weight is complicated, but the American Heart Association says it doesn't have to be!
The 250/250 plan is simple -- there are only two steps. It was created by local cardiologist Dr. Nanette Wenger to take much of the work out of weight loss.
Michael Privette, Executive Director of the metro Atlanta American Heart Association, says the 250/250 plan really couldn't be more simple or easy to work into your daily life.
"This isn't adding extra time or extra steps to your activity each day, this is really about finding ways to make small steps, small progress," said Privette.
Step one is look at your eating, and find a way to cut out 250 calories a day.
"That's as simple as getting a small instead of a large cutting out the afternoon chocolate snack, whatever that looks like to cut out 250 calories from your diet that day," Privette said.
Step two is step up your physical activity and concentrate on burning 250 calories a day.
"So that's as simple as going for a 20 or 30 minute brisk walk in the afternoon, taking the stairs a couple times a day. It can be very easy to burn 250 calories," said Privette.
Between eating a little less, and moving a little more, you will see real results. Privette says if you add 250 and 250, that's 500 calories a day, or 3,500 calories a week you could be burning off. That's about one pound each week.
Privette says it's all about starting small, and keeping it simple.
"If you're doing nothing, do something. If you're doing something, do a little more and that what 250-250 is all about," said Privette.
The American Heart Association says about 60 to 70 percent of us are overweight. But, a recent survey showed almost 40 percent of Americans rated themselves as being in "ideal" cardiovascular health. In reality, only 1 percent of us actually fit that standard.
That means most of us could stand to make some changes to protect our heart. The 250/250 plan is a good starting place.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-22 22:20:11 GMT
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Thursday, May 16 2013 11:00 PM EDT2013-05-17 03:00:47 GMT
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows millions of American kids suffer from mental health problems. Experts believe as many as 20 percent of American children are affected.
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"You're fired!" Those are two words you never want to hear from anyone, especially your own doctor. But that can happen when patients and physicians don't see eye-to-eye.
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