Read on for seven weight loss tips you need to know
1. Set Goals
You need to have a reason to keep pushing when temptation arises or you simply don’t feel like doing it anymore. The goal/s need to be both physical and emotional. For example your physical goal may be to lose 20kg (44lbs) but this isn’t strong enough to motivate you when you don’t feel like continuing. An emotional goal such as ‘to be able to play with the kids’ or ‘to enjoy life to its fullest’ will ensure you keep focused to achieve your ultimate weightloss goals.
2. Start Exercising
If you are a complete beginner, start with something light like 30 minute walks, 4 times/week and build from there. Don’t rush into exercising to quickly. Build up gradually to allow your body to recover and grow stronger.
3. Include Resistance Training
Resistance training is becoming increasingly popular among the general population and for good reason. It increases muscle mass which means your body burns more calories while at rest. It also improves insulin sensitivity which means less insulin is released by the body, resulting in less fat storage. Another benefit is its nutrient partitioning effects – put simply it means the foods you eat get put to use as energy for muscles rather than being stored as fat.
Benefits not limited to weightloss include reducing elevated blood pressure, preventing osteoporosis, strengthening the immune system and improving posture.
4. Take Control Of Your Diet
Nutrition can be very complex and the ‘ideal’ diet for each individual varies greatly due to differences in size, preferences, goals, age, activity levels and a host of other factors. Having said that there are a few key factors that are universal for all people who want to lose weight. The first is that you must burn more calories than you consume either through diet and/or exercise. Next you need to make sure that what you do eat covers all your nutritional requirements. This can normally be achieved by eating a variety of foods but in some cases supplements may be necessary. Finally, your diet needs to be enjoyable! Associating the words ‘diet’ and ‘enjoyable’ may seem odd but an enjoyable diet translates to a sustainable diet. And sustainability will mean you not only lose weight but keep it off.
5. Include Variety
This goes for your exercise and nutrition. Variety will prevent boredom and means you will continue on your quest to lose weight.
Adding variety to your exercise program is easy. You can change the exercises, rep ranges or even the type of exercising. Instead of running you could swim. You could replace cycling with a boxing class. Or start a sporting team with friends.
Including variety in your nutrition is a little more difficult. When replacing one food with another you need to make sure it still fits into your calorie and macronutrient goals. You also need to control the portion size. However, doing so will make sure your ‘diet’ doesn’t feel like a diet at all.
6. Continue to Learn
If you are reading this article then you are already putting this important step into action. It is can be very handy to continue learning about different ways to exercise and eat in order to lose weight. You don’t have to hit the books but simply talking to others in the gym who have achieved what you want to achieve may help.
(Note: I emphasise may help. There is a great deal of myths and mumbo jumbo out there so be careful when taking advice from someone who got their information from ‘a friend of a friend.’)
7. Consistency Is Key
Put the first 6 steps into action and then be consistent. The only way to continue to lose weight is to consistently do what needs to be done. For some of you there may be a fairly large amount of weight that you need to lose before you reach your goal. To do so you will need to be consistent. Don’t fall into the trap of TV and magazine commercials offering instant success with the latest ‘AB-pro’ or ‘jiggle machine.’ These types of advertisements are simply trying to take advantage of your deep desire to lose weight. Instead, find out what needs to be done and do it consistently. If you do I guarantee you will lose the weight.
Feel lost, disheartened and discouraged on your weight loss journey? Need help, guidance and motivation from a professional? Then check out www.slimdownshapeup.com for online personal training. Or if you live in the Hills District, Sydney enquire about mobile personal training today.
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