Diet and exercise go hand-in-hand—you cannot reach your weight-loss goals properly without one or the other. If you follow a low-calorie diet without exercising, then you will just end up losing muscle.

Calories In, Calories Out

Caloric intake is an important aspect in losing weight: your intake level needs to be in line with the amount of calories your burn while exercising. 1lb of fat is 3500 calories, and with the correct program, it is normal to lose about 1-2 lbs of fat a week. A loss more than that is muscle loss.

Find Balance

Following a balanced diet is the best way to go. A balanced diet is comprised of foods from each food group, eliminating any food groups (for example, grains) from the diet is not beneficial for a long-term weight loss goal. It is more important to include all foods and reduce the intake of more high-caloric foods and opt more for lower calorie options.

A proper diet including a variety of foods, low in fat and cholesterol, followed in moderation, along with an exercise program will help you reach your goals.