I have to emphasize that will power is more important to weight loss success than the particular diet or exercise you choose. One thing that helped me is that I chose not to actually go on a diet. What? How is that possible? A person can't just eat junk and lose weight! That is true! However, a diet is a term I don't like. Going on a diet is a mindset. Within the term itself go on a diet there is an implication that this is temporary.
Well, think about that: temporary solutions mean temporary results. Do you want to just get thin for a wedding and then go back to your old weight afterwards? No, of course not! You want the weight to stay off! Therefore, a diet is not the right thing for your weight loss. You need what I call: A FOOD PLAN! Select better foods and eliminate ones that are not good for you.
Here are a few examples of what I eat, and what I avoid!
SAY YES TO THESE FOODS:
Lots of Water Celery B Vitamins Whole Grains (oatmeal, whole wheat bread, etc.) Fruits and Vegetables (in moderation, watch the carbs in some of these!) Green, Leafy Vegetables Baked Chips (in moderation�"watch sodium) Salad (choose small amounts of low fat dressing or none!) Fish and Chicken (NOT fried unless in olive oil, not battered) Splenda Sweetener (instead of all sugar added to foods) Spray Butter (Fat Free, Sodium Free) Fat Free Dairy Products (Sour Cream, Milk) Low Fat Cottage Cheese (the fat free cottage cheese is nasty) Diet Soda or Small Amounts of Regular Soda (no soda is the best option) Sugar Free Coffee Creamer
SAY NO TO THESE FOODS: Fried Foods High Carb Foods High Sodium Foods Corn Syrup Hydrogenated Oils (most chips have this�"it’s horrible for you!) Fast Food Adding salt to foods (you will get used to this after you try it for a while!) Too much juice (especially juice made with corn syrup, that's not 100% real fruit juice) Buffet trips (make two trips: one trip for a small amount of bad food, then get healthy food in the 2nd trip)
Taking the Necessary Steps to Lose Weight. One of the easiest and most beneficial ways to begin exercising is by starting a walking program. Walking is a terrific way to increase the affects of your diet and can be the first step in becoming more fit overall. Walking requires very little financial investment and can be incorporated into almost any lifestyle. Fitness experts say that even a moderate level of exercise (30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week) gleaned from walking can help you to lose weight and even add over a year to your life.
Baby Steps to Start Walking is a cardiovascular exercise that will help strengthen your heart and will also boost your metabolism. The higher your metabolic rate, the more calories your body will burn. Adding even a minimal walking routine to your diet program will result in quicker weight loss than what you will get from dieting alone. As with any new exercise program, it is best to start your walking program at a moderate rate, until your body acclimates to the added exertion. Most beginners can handle walking for 20 to 30 minutes on 3 or 4 days of the week. As you begin to build strength and stamina, you can increase your sessions gradually until you are walking up to 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week. As you progress, you will also find it easier to walk faster, which will increase the cardiovascular benefits of walking.
Tips for Successful Walking Programs Before beginning a walking program, it is best to get the okay from your doctor. While walking can be a fairly low level form of exercise, it is important that you do not overdo it and strain your body. The following tips can help you get started walking safely and successfully:
Wear Supportive Shoes. Wearing shoes specifically designed for walking or running will help you to avoid foot, leg and back pain. Walking shoes will cushion your steps and act as shock absorbers for your body.
Bring Water. As with any exercise, keeping hydrated is very important. As you expend energy, your body will begin to sweat. Water can replace the hydration you lose while exercising.
Keep a Consistent Pace. Walking for exercise is not the same as the walking you do to get from point A to point B. To get the cardiovascular benefits of walking, you need to maintain a consistent pace and keep walking for the entire time.
Use Your Arms. Swinging your arms while walking will add to your momentum and increase the cardiovascular workout you receive from walking. Walking can help to tone your arms, as well as your legs.
Add Weights. As you become more comfortable with walking, you might consider adding wrist or ankle weights to use while walking. The increased resistance will help you to build muscle and up the cardio workout quotient of your walking.
Use a Pedometer. Investing in a pedometer can help you to gauge your progress and also make it easy for you to measure how many calories you are burning. From a psychological standpoint, it is encouraging to have a concrete number to work towards in miles.
Walk as a Family. Walking is one of the few forms of exercise that can be enjoyed simultaneously by your whole family. Walking as a group can also help to keep it fun and will encourage healthy habits in children.
Both Alex Gwen Thomson & Wendy Wood are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.