Weight-loss basics

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Your weight is a balancing act, and calories are part of that equation. Weight loss comes down to burning more calories than you take in. You can do that by reducing extra calories from food and beverages, and increasing calories burned through physical activity.

While that seems simple, it can be challenging to implement a practical, effective and sustainable weight-loss plan.

But you don't have to do it alone. Talk to your doctor, family and friends for support. Ask yourself if now is a good time and if you're ready to make some necessary changes. Also, plan smart: Anticipate how you'll handle situations that challenge your resolve and the inevitable minor setbacks.

If you have serious health problems because of your weight, your doctor may suggest weight-loss surgery or medications for you. In this case, your doctor will discuss the potential benefits and the possible risks with you.

But don't forget the bottom line: The key to successful weight loss is a commitment to making changes in your diet and exercise habits.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. Click here for an email preview.

To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail.

Nov. 19, 2021

See also

  1. Aerobic exercise
  2. Alli weight-loss pill
  3. Apple cider vinegar
  4. Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutes
  5. Atkins Diet
  6. Bariatric surgery
  7. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD/DS)
  8. Calorie calculator
  9. Carbohydrates
  10. Coffee calories
  11. Counting calories
  12. Dietary supplements for weight loss
  13. Endoscopic Intragastric Balloon
  14. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty
  15. Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (Gastric Sleeve)
  16. Exercise for weight loss: Calories burned in 1 hour
  17. Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y)
  18. Weight-loss plateau
  19. Weight-loss surgery
  20. Hate to exercise? Try these tips
  21. HCG diet
  22. Hidradenitis suppurativa: Tips for weight-loss success
  23. High-protein diets
  24. Intragastric balloon
  25. Keep the focus on your long-term vision
  26. Low-carb diet
  27. Maintain a healthy weight with psoriatic arthritis
  28. BMI and waist circumference calculator
  29. Weight gain after menopause
  30. Metabolism and weight loss
  31. Phentermine for weight loss
  32. Prescription weight-loss drugs
  33. Protein shakes
  34. Vegetable recipes
  35. Portion control
  36. Foods for weight control
  37. South Beach Diet
  38. Strength training basics
  39. The Mayo Clinic Diet
  40. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch
  41. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
  42. Sleeve gastrectomy
  43. Vitamin B-12 injections
  44. Walking for weight loss
  45. Walking for fitness
  46. Natural diuretics
  47. Weight-loss strategies
  48. Weight Loss After Breast Cancer
  49. Weight-loss options
  50. Energy density
  51. Emotional eating
  52. Weight-loss readiness
  53. Weight-loss surgery