As soon as Christmas ended, and especially when we stepped into the new year, we got bombarded with advertisements and magazine articles telling us to lose weight and shape up. Perhaps, like many of us, you've made a New Year's resolution or two in that direction.
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I'm sure I won't need to tell you that losing weight and getting fit isn't that easy. Who wants to be hungry all the time, and feel guilty about the occasional treat? And when we get home from work, we're tired, and then there's cooking to be done, and cleaning, so who can fit a brand-new exercise regime into that?
My advice is possibly somewhat different than what others will tell you. I'd like to ask you to first of all ask yourself if you really need to lose weight, and if you really need that extra exercise. Commercials and businesses will try to convince you that that's the case. This means that many people, especially women, go through life feeling that they're never quite good enough.
The reason for that is obvious - businesses want to sell. They'll imply that if only you do this, or that, and buy whatever product they're promoting, you might just get closer to perfection. But what is perfection? Even the most stunning models in the world get airbrushed before their pictures are posted in magazines - even they are not perfect enough. How, then, is it possible to reach a level of perfection that doesn't exist?
Also, it's important to remember that people come in all shapes and sizes. Not all of us are naturally thin. Some ladies have small frames and can't put on weight, no matter how they try, and some won't ever be a size zero, because they're simply not built that way.
What's important is to feel healthy, and to stay around what's a healthy weight for you. If you really could lose a few pounds, and want to, have a look at your eating and exercise habits. Write everything down, it will help you spot patterns. I'd advise doing so for a week, and not doing anything different than what you usually do. By the end of the week you'll have an idea about any areas you could improve on.
Crash diets won't work. Pills sold on the Internet are usually scams, and they tend to have side effects. Extreme diets might cause health problems, and they're difficult to keep up with in the long run. It's the small changes that can make all the difference, and it's easier to stick to them as well.
Do you find yourself reaching for snacks? Change the snacks to something less fattening. Do you reach for microwave meals or take-aways because of your busy schedule? Look up easy to cook recipes on the Internet. There are video sites out there with tons of healthy recipes, and they'll show you step by step how to prepare them. If you do some cooking at the weekend, or whenever you have time off, you can plan for days ahead and place meals in the freezer, so you won't have to spend a load of time cooking after work.
Read the labels on your groceries. A lot of processed foods contain hidden fats and sugars. Try to avoid them, and buy fresh produce instead. Fresh food often tastes better, which is a bonus.
Don't deprive yourself of any and all snacks. We all have cravings at times, and you deserve a treat every now and then.
As for exercise - find something that suits you. For example, a yoga class would do the trick. Drag along a friend if you can, because company will make you feel more comfortable and it adds to the fun.
If you don't have time to schedule in exercise, walking is always good. Count your daily steps during the week you record your habits. Experts recommend a minimum of 10,000 steps for most days of the week. That may sound a lot, especially if you're not on your feet all the time for work. Little changes can help you reach this goal - a walk to the shops instead of taking the car, when you don't need to do a big shop. A stroll during your lunch break. Go to the photocopier further away from your desk, or choose the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a slightly longer route when walking the dog. It all adds up!
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You don't have to do everything at once! If some days things don't work out the way you planned, please don't be too tough on yourself. You can always start afresh the next day, and remember... the changes you make could well be changes that will last for a lifetime. You will feel healthier and happier when those changes become habits. Most importantly, they're changes that are suitable for you, your body and your circumstances, not changes dictated by people who don't know you. You know yourself best.
Visit weight loss and fitness advice for more information
Click here to know more about weight loss secrets
I'm sure I won't need to tell you that losing weight and getting fit isn't that easy. Who wants to be hungry all the time, and feel guilty about the occasional treat? And when we get home from work, we're tired, and then there's cooking to be done, and cleaning, so who can fit a brand-new exercise regime into that?
My advice is possibly somewhat different than what others will tell you. I'd like to ask you to first of all ask yourself if you really need to lose weight, and if you really need that extra exercise. Commercials and businesses will try to convince you that that's the case. This means that many people, especially women, go through life feeling that they're never quite good enough.
The reason for that is obvious - businesses want to sell. They'll imply that if only you do this, or that, and buy whatever product they're promoting, you might just get closer to perfection. But what is perfection? Even the most stunning models in the world get airbrushed before their pictures are posted in magazines - even they are not perfect enough. How, then, is it possible to reach a level of perfection that doesn't exist?
Also, it's important to remember that people come in all shapes and sizes. Not all of us are naturally thin. Some ladies have small frames and can't put on weight, no matter how they try, and some won't ever be a size zero, because they're simply not built that way.
What's important is to feel healthy, and to stay around what's a healthy weight for you. If you really could lose a few pounds, and want to, have a look at your eating and exercise habits. Write everything down, it will help you spot patterns. I'd advise doing so for a week, and not doing anything different than what you usually do. By the end of the week you'll have an idea about any areas you could improve on.
Crash diets won't work. Pills sold on the Internet are usually scams, and they tend to have side effects. Extreme diets might cause health problems, and they're difficult to keep up with in the long run. It's the small changes that can make all the difference, and it's easier to stick to them as well.
Do you find yourself reaching for snacks? Change the snacks to something less fattening. Do you reach for microwave meals or take-aways because of your busy schedule? Look up easy to cook recipes on the Internet. There are video sites out there with tons of healthy recipes, and they'll show you step by step how to prepare them. If you do some cooking at the weekend, or whenever you have time off, you can plan for days ahead and place meals in the freezer, so you won't have to spend a load of time cooking after work.
Read the labels on your groceries. A lot of processed foods contain hidden fats and sugars. Try to avoid them, and buy fresh produce instead. Fresh food often tastes better, which is a bonus.
Don't deprive yourself of any and all snacks. We all have cravings at times, and you deserve a treat every now and then.
As for exercise - find something that suits you. For example, a yoga class would do the trick. Drag along a friend if you can, because company will make you feel more comfortable and it adds to the fun.
If you don't have time to schedule in exercise, walking is always good. Count your daily steps during the week you record your habits. Experts recommend a minimum of 10,000 steps for most days of the week. That may sound a lot, especially if you're not on your feet all the time for work. Little changes can help you reach this goal - a walk to the shops instead of taking the car, when you don't need to do a big shop. A stroll during your lunch break. Go to the photocopier further away from your desk, or choose the stairs instead of the elevator. Take a slightly longer route when walking the dog. It all adds up!
Don't put too much pressure on yourself. You don't have to do everything at once! If some days things don't work out the way you planned, please don't be too tough on yourself. You can always start afresh the next day, and remember... the changes you make could well be changes that will last for a lifetime. You will feel healthier and happier when those changes become habits. Most importantly, they're changes that are suitable for you, your body and your circumstances, not changes dictated by people who don't know you. You know yourself best.
Visit weight loss and fitness advice for more information