One of the reasons I lost 70 pounds and have stayed in my healthy weight range for 17 years is because I became an active person. I gave up the couch and started to move my body and I also made healthy food choices.
When you are active your metabolism accelerates, which means you become a fat-burning machine. Did you know that long after you have completed your work out your metabolism will continue to work for hours afterwards?
If you use excuses like you work too many hours, haven’t enough hours in the day, too busy running around after kids or just can’t get motivated, here are some tips:
1. Start slowly with a 5-10 minute walk and gradually build it up to 30-40 minutes at least 4-5 times a week and always remember to do some stretches before taking off, this way avoiding needless damage to the ligaments and muscles.
2. I was given a Wii fit for Christmas and as I am in Australia right now and it is our summer time I have found this a great way to exercise in the comfort of my own home and work out in air-conditioning. This could also be useful for when you are faced with bad weather or are snowed in, so no more excuses anymore. You could also play an exercise DVD as well.
3. Having fun while exercising will mean you will go back to do it again so if you feel bored with your routine mix it up so you don’t get bored. Some other fun ways to workout are bike riding, swimming, dancing, gardening, aerobics, weight baring exercises, aqua aerobics, belly dancing or yoga, tai chi or roller blading.
5. Look at other ways to help tone muscles, the more muscle tone you have the more the body will burn fat, lift weights or walking up stairs (instead of lifts or escalators), exercise bikes or walk, step or treadmill machines.
6. It is a proven fact that people who exercise will lose more weight and keep it off longer than someone who does no exercise. Remember you are the one that holds the key to your future health, so step up and do the right thing and enjoy living your life with energy, so grab your joggers and get moving.
7. 30-40 minutes of exercise 5-6 times a week is recommended for weight loss and 3 times a week for maintaining weight.
8. You don’t need to become a fitness freak, all that achieves is burn out, instead have the approach that exercise is something that you must have in your life and that it’s fun. Remember move it or lose it!
Annette Sym will be launching her cookbook Symply Too Good To Be True on the 1st of March. For more info go to www.symplytoogood.com
Written on February 16th, 2009 at 9:00 am by Tishia