by Kelly Sallaway - LincsMag Writer.
Date: 01 January 2011
Health Clubs and gyms are buzzing in January, full of people with lofty goals and good intentions but come back in February and the crowds have dwindled down and the regulars are back.
Will this be another year you don't reach your fitness or weight loss goals? What are some of the reasons we fall off of the New Years treadmill- and how can we get back on?
We all want to lose weight fast! The quicker the better. When weight loss happens quickly it is usually a matter of a starvation diet or some other get thin quick scheme. Real weight loss happens over time. You did not put on the weight overnight. It took weeks and months. You will not take off weight overnight either.
The quicker you lose weight the faster it comes back on. Real weight loss is not a matter of dieting but of behaviour modification and real change in behaviours.
Don't waste your time following the latest fad. More importantly don't waste your money on pills, drops or drinks. Follow a healthy diet that controls caloric intake and involves some movement or exercise.
If you have the wrong attitude about fitness, you will be setting yourself up to fail. Most people look at exercise as a punishment for gaining weight. The most common excuse for not exercising is lack of time. The best way to make time is to schedule it into your day, just like a business appointment or family task.
Many people say they hate to exercise. They feel for it to be effective it has to be a chore, that it is no fun and boring. The best way to change your mind about exercise is to choose something you like doing. If you hate gyms, then don't waste the money joining one. Even a membership to the swankiest gym in town won't help you if you don't go.
Take your exercise outside. Ride a bike or take a martial arts, fencing or dance class. Maybe this year is the time to try Yoga or Pilates. Then, try a different perspective and look at exercise as a reward, a way to boost energy and elevate your fitness and mood.
Realize that you won't always want to exercise. Even the most committed athletes have down days where they don't feel well or don't want to work out. Just give it your best, enjoy the opportunity and know that you will have to work on it every day. Even the slightest bit of exercise is beneficial and goes a long way to promote overall health and well-being.
Willpower alone is overrated. We may have a lot of willpower or resolve but we must also have the right attitude and resources.
Resources include time, knowledge and support. Give yourself every chance to succeed. Study your options, keep a food and exercise journal. Replace bad habits one at a time. Enlist the support of family, friends or professionals. Things are always easier if we are not attempting them alone.
Never forget that losing and maintaining weight loss is a lifetime prospect. So make sure that whatever you start is a plan that you can sustain over the long term. Set realistic goals. Make small lifestyle changes, keep a positive outlook and always plan for success!