The Top Ten
Things You Don't Want to Hear About Losing Weight
(But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)
10) No, you won’t end up looking like the latest hot
young model/singer/actress!
Let’s face it: your body is your body. It’s the only one
you’ve got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some
things you can’t change. You can’t make your legs longer or
your feet smaller. You can’t grow five inches or elongate your
torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on
making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like
someone else. You don’t have to be perfect to be attractive. A
strong, fit body as well as the self-confidence it brings can
make any person attractive!
9) It’s better to be muscular and weigh more than to
be flabby and weigh less.
I’ve said it so many times: I’d much rather be 135lbs and
muscular than 120lbs and flabby. I’ve been both, and 135lbs
with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better! I was
smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, don’t always
seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total
body composition instead.
8) You can’t get fit in a week.
Okay, well, you can, but only if you’re one week away from
being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise,
forget about it! If you want to look good for that class
reunion or because you’ll be in a bikini soon, then get moving
way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your own health
and not for “things” like reunions and bikinis.
7) You need to put some effort into it.
You want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to
plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you
have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on the couch, telling
yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot
of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking.
And while you’re out there walking think about a plan of action
for a healthier you and get started on it today – not
tomorrow!
6) You need to exercise.
Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But
if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles,
including your heart. And that heart won’t get any exercise if
you’re sitting on the couch, eating broccoli. Lose the weight
that you need to lose and you’ll just end up with a thin, but
flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if
you’re really not into weight training, find an activity you
like to do that work all your major muscle groups.
5) You need to eat properly.
Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein
controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you
need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but
vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs,
too. No matter what way of eating you’re following make sure
you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of
fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go
grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not
only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by
trying something new!
4) You can’t lose weight overnight.
You didn’t gain it overnight -- or in two months -- and
you’re not going to lose it overnight -- or in two months.
Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station: you start
off slow, gather speed and then off you go! Patience is the key
here. Look for consistent trends. If you’re really not losing
fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you
need to sit down and honestly analyze what you’re doing. Keep a
journal to help you know how you’re really eating and
exercising.
3) You can’t spot reduce.
Genetics will decide where the fat will come off. Doing 1000
crunches won’t reduce your belly fat. Nor will 1000 leg lifts
get rid of the fat on your inner thighs. Your body does not
burn the fat it needs from the body part that you’re
exercising. Your body will burn fat much like an onion is
peeled, a layer at a time, if you will. So, don’t overdo it on
the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting
your whole body in shape.
2) There are no quick fixes.
That’s right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None.
Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in
the garbage where they belong. Learn the basics about how your
body gains muscle and loses fat, so you won’t get sucked in by
another scam again.
1) Fitness is a lifelong commitment!
So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and you’ve
reached your goals. Now what? Well, now you’ve got to keep
doing it for the rest of your life, that’s what! You can’t just
work your way to being fit and then stop, because you’ll end up
exactly like you were before. Fitness is a lifelong commitment.
And, you want to know a secret? It isn’t easy! And anyone who
says it is easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a
lifelong ambition and you’ll reap the rewards of a long and
healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense
of well being.
Suzanne Hiscock has been interested
in fitness and nutrition for over 16
years. She is the owner of FitWatch
Inc. and developer of the FitWatch Fitness
Tracker, an online food and
exercise tracker. You can visit the
site at http://www.fitwatch.com for
a variety of fitness calculators and
tools.
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