Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Losing Weight - Slow and Steady


Deciding to lose weight, change your lifestyle, and become healthier is a big step! Start by making a simple commitment to yourself. Decide what you want out of a fitness program and set goals. Doing so will keep you on track and help you motivate yourself to achieve the goals you set. Many people find it helpful to put together a written plan. Your plan might include things like the amount of weight you want to lose, and your target date you'd like to lose the weight by. You might even write down the dietary changes you'll make to establish healthy eating habits, and a plan for getting regular exercise and physical activity.

Writing down the reasons why you want to lose weight can also help. It might be because you have a family history of heart disease, or because you want to see your kids get married, or simply because you want to feel better in your clothes. Post these reasons where they serve as a daily reminder of why you want to make this change.

Keep a "food diary" for a few days, in which you write down everything you eat. By doing this, you become more aware of what you are eating and when you are eating. This awareness can help you avoid mindless eating.

Everyone is different – what works for someone else might not be right for you. Just because your neighbor lost weight by taking up running, doesn't mean running is the best option for you. Try a variety of activities – walking, swimming, tennis, or group exercise classes to see what you enjoy most and can fit into your life. These activities will be easier to stick with over the long term.

Find family members or friends who will support your weight loss efforts. Making lifestyle changes can feel easier when you have others you can talk to and rely on for support. You might have coworkers or neighbors with similar goals, and together you can share healthful recipes and plan group exercise.

Frequent exercise or physical activity can help you live longer and improve your quality of life! Exercise doesn't need to be strenuous to improve health; moderate-intensity physical activity performed over the course of the day will usually result in significant health benefits for people of all ages. Everyday activities like walking may be the safest types of exercise for older or previously inactive people, because they put less stress on muscles and joints. If you've been out of shape for a while you might enjoy some simple low-impact exercise options.

Better fitness can be defined in many ways, depending on your goals, your current level of activity, and how much time you have available. A program that includes aerobics, resistance training and stretching will give you the greatest overall health benefits. Sometimes - slow and steady is the best course for lasting weight loss. Simply getting started is a vital first step. Make a promise to yourself. Then take immediate action!

The road to better health and fitness is a journey anyone can enjoy. Take that first step! Start getting in shape fast - by eating healthy foods and getting some exercise every day!

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