Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce the risk of developing many health conditions. Effective control of weight is often accomplished by lifestyle behaviors such as eating a healthful diet, getting adequate sleep and exercising regularly.

Consider starting with a small change to your daily routine. This might include skipping a high-calorie add-on, such as cream in your morning coffee or a soda at lunch.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eating a healthy diet can help control your weight, as well as improve your mood and health. The best way to eat healthy is to replace processed foods with fresh foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy and nuts. Try to limit foods with “empty calories,” such as chips, candy, regular soda and fried foods. Instead, choose whole-grain breads and muffins, fruit, yogurt and nuts.

There is a lot of conflicting nutrition and dieting advice, but overall, eating a variety of healthy foods can help you control your weight.

Get Enough Sleep

If you are getting less than 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, it will be difficult for you to control your appetite and resist temptations. Sleep deprivation has been shown to disrupt the normal production of hormones that regulate appetite. It also decreases activity in the frontal lobe of the brain, which controls decision-making and self-control. This makes it easier to fall prey to food cravings and make unhealthy choices. Get more restful sleep by following some simple tips.