Trying to do anything to improve your own health and lifestyle can be pretty darned difficult. If you’re trying to give up smoking for instance, just knowing that nicotine is more addictive than heroin may cause you to give up altogether. Dieting, though, is a different matter.
Everywhere we look there are ads for food. Going into a supermarket is like walking through a minefield and in a moment of weakness you may find yourself tucking into a carton of ice cream with tears in your eyes. Holidays are about food. Entertaining is about food and drink. Families are about food. Get the picture?
Diet and exercise, diet and exercise…you’ve heard those words together so often they’re like an annoying mantra. You eat, you’re hungry, you exercise, you get hungrier and eventually you cave in and give up.
You’re not alone, hundreds of thousands of people are trying to lose fat and get healthy every day.
So how can you succeed?
Get a Partner
Trying to lose weight on your own is like going on vacation alone. It’s nice but there’s nobody to share any of the experiences with when you get home. Losing weight on your own can feel the same. You get home from the gym or a run and you tell your partner you’ve lost 5 pounds, but chances are they’ll be too busy watching the latest reality show sensation to give a hoot.
Find someone to partner with; it’s a lot more fun. On days when you don’t feel like running or going to the gym, call your workout parner…they can nag you into getting off your butt! It can also become competitive which is a good thing when you are trying to workout and get into better shape.
“I bet you $10 I can lose 10 pounds before you do” is an instant challenge and now you’re not just focusing on yourself. If you can find someone with whom you have similar interests a run can turn from a painful, lonely one-mile slog into something that’s enjoyable. Besides, two running together is always much safer than one alone.
Many online weight loss programs run blogs where others can discuss their triumphs and tribulations. Tips, hints and healthy recipes are handed out, but nothing beats having someone real by your side. We encourage our children to strive and learn – to do better. Now it’s time for someone to help you.
If you have the money and you’re a member of a gym one of the best people to partner with will be a personal trainer. Yes you’ll pay for it, but if you can build a friendly relationship with a trainer they will keep you on the right track. Another danger of exercising on your own is doing damage to your body. A personal trainer can advise you at every stage of your weight loss and exercise program what to do next and what not to do.
Many trainers are also trained to offer dietary advice, so choose a trainer you’ll get along with and check their credentials before writing a check.
Home Gym Equipment
If you’ve ever checked out the enormous array of gym equipment on Amazon.com for example, you’ve probably been left scratching your head.
Number one, what space can you devote to a home gym? Number two, which machine will help you achieve what you want? Number three, how much can you afford and, number four will you use it after you’ve shelled out all that money?
If you want to burn fat and build core muscle to replace that fat an elliptical machine is probably a good choice. They don’t take up a lot of space. Now you’ll have to decide what kind of budget you have. With most exercise machines you get what you pay for. The better quality the machine is, the more you’ll pay. Only if you have thousands to spare will you get anything like your favorite machine at a gym.
An elliptical machine should have a wide choice of resistance levels, be stable and sturdy. The majority of good machines also come with a monitor and a computer that has built in programs. Exercising the same muscles every day is not going to get you far. The body gets used to certain repeated actions, so varying your workouts is essential.
Some of the more sophisticated machines allow you to upload your results to the manufacturer’s website so you’ll always have a record of how you’re doing. These sites also offer help, tips, encouragement and suggestions for creating better workouts.
One of the biggest mistakes is not allowing your body rest completely between sessions. The body does not shed fat or build muscle during exercise – that happens while you’re resting. So don’t overdo it. Exercising every other day is fine, or just three times a week, whether you have a treadmill, you road run or you have an exercise machine.
The trick is getting into the habit of exercising. Force yourself to get up an hour early to do it. After a few weeks you’ll be able to see the results and you’ll also be amazed at how much extra energy you’ll have during the day.
Soon, you’ll look forward to your sessions. You’ll enjoy the challenge of pushing your body further, whether you’re working with a buddy, a trainer or via computer.
Reward yourself along the way – you’re worth it. And never give up!