64 % of Americans are overweight or obese. 750 million people in the world are over weight. Its difficult to comprehend that number. Drive into New York and look around at all the homes and condos and then multiply that by 100.Difficult to believe! Obesity continues to be a serious problem and is predicted to reach epidemic levels by the year 2020.

Risks of being overweight or obese.

Diseases that you are putting yourself in risk of if you are carrying a lot of extra pounds:

1. heart disease

2. stroke

3. diabetes

4. cancer

5. arthritis

6. hypertension

Losing weight helps to prevent and control these diseases.

Losing weight the healthy way is not always the route people choose.

The quick weight loss methods which have spread like fire these days do not provide lasting results. More often than not, dieting methods which involve dietary drinks, foods and supplement or pills do not work. If they do, the results are just temporary. How long can you really eat grapefruit or cabbage soup? Have you ever wondered what those cute little pills are doing to your body. They can wreck havoc with your heart and nervous system by sending your body into overdrive.

Here are some tips on how you can lose those unwanted pounds the healthy way:

1.Do not starve your self.

Your body will send a message to your brain saying,"hey,slow down the furnace, something has gone amuck here!" And

the last thing you want your body to do when you are trying to lose weight is slow down your metabolism!

The key to a healthier way of losing weight is: Do not diet.

You may seem happy and feel that you are losing that unwanted flab on your belly and thighs by skipping meals. But remember that this would not last long. Your body cannot tolerate having insufficient food to fuel the energy that you use up everyday. It really will turn down the furnace.

2.Start your day right.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have a healthy meal in the morning to jump-start your metabolism. Your food intake after you wake up will be used to burn fat all day long.

3.Eat small, healthy meals frequently.

Five small-serving snacks per day is better than three hearty meals. Eating more frequently, and in small servings, can prevent over-eating.

This will also increase your metabolism and make calories burn faster.

4.How much weight you want to lose?

Keep your goals realistic. In the long run, it is virtually impossible for you to lose 40 pounds in 2 weeks. Have a mind set that you want to eat healthy to stay healthy for the rest of your life. Don't decide to start those diet pills this month to lose that 40 pounds by next month so you will look great at your skinny friend's wedding. She may be one of the few genetic metabolic freaks that can eat herself skinny but you and most people are not.

5.Drink lots of water.

Your body needs sufficient water to burn fat and keep your cells hydrated and healthy.

6.Avoid too much sugar.

Plan your meals around lots of fruits and vegetables, some bread, rice or pasta for that carbo fix that you need,( the whole wheat version is the best) plus lean meat and protein rich-foods. Sweets, sodas and pastries should be once-in-a-while indulgences only.

7.Watch your fat intake. Choose the good fats.

Fat is not the culprit to being overweight. You need this to keep your weight at the proper level. Your body needs fat to run.

There is such a thing as healthy fats. Olive, peanuts and canola oil have them. Tuna, salmon and mackerel have omega-3 fats which is good for the heart.

8.Exercise.

Leave your car if you are only going a few blocks from home, take the stairs instead of the elevator, jog, cycle or skate. The gym and exercise classes are good but expensive...just throw yourself out the door and walk or put on your favorite music and dance around your living room. I do that but I always make sure my blinds are drawn! Make sure that you do this regularly and you will shed pounds.

Set realistic goals for yourself. Go slow. If you have already lost 5 or 6 pounds, give yourself a break then try to lose the next 5 pounds.

Losing weight the healthy way is the only way to make losing weight a habit and keep the weight off.. Eat healthy, drink lots of water, have enough sleep and exercise.

This will give you a higher chance of losing weight and improving your health, which would result to a new, healthier you.