Weight loss, in the context of health or medicine, is a reduction of the total body weight mass, which can mean loss of bone mass, fluid, muscle or fat. Weight loss occurs when a person is in a state of negative energy balance. Self-esteem, positive self-talk and goal-setting are all important aspects in the weight loss process.

Your self-image is something crucial – how you feel about your person can have an immense impact when it comes to starting (and continuing) a fitness and weight loss program. To have that initial start, think about how you can set realistic weight loss and exercise goals and plan to avoid some of the most common mind-set pitfalls.

No matter what the reason, healthy weight management and successful weight loss depend on setting achievable goals and expectations. For healthy weight loss, you should be consulted by a physician in order to develop a weight loss plan that is tailored to your needs and expectations.

The key for success is making changes in your physical activity and eating habits that you can follow them for the rest of your life. Health experts agree that you may gain important health benefits from even a small weight loss.

A weight loss of 5 to 20 percent of body weight may improve quality of life and your health, and prevent these additional health problems.

Weight loss programs and diets are generally more flexible now than they once were. You will want to go for a weight loss program that gives you some control, rather than make you follow one rigid system.  For healthy and safe weight loss, try not to exceed a rate of 2 pounds per week.