Natural weight loss plans (which continue to be the most effective way to lose weight) all involve a reduction in calories and an increase in physical activity. Despite its simplicity, this guidance would appear to be rarely listened to as over a third of overweight Americans and millions others globally, would attest. Nonetheless, most of these overweight people want to be slim again, although probably more for cosmetic reasons than health reasons. But the fact still remains that it is a whole lot easier to prevent putting on pounds – by exercising and eating healthily - than it is to try losing them later on.