Those Last Few Pounds!

Shedding weight is easier said than done. It takes more than just exercise and the right diet. You must also have the mind set and determination to follow through. Often times, people will train rigorously and neglect eating in an attempt to lose a few pounds, but it is not something that you can consistently sustain. Instead of trying to rid yourself of the weight quickly, try taking it step by step. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? All you have to do is stay focused on what you want to do. Avoid counter-productive criticism that friends may offer. They may comment that you look fine- or you don’t need to lose the weight. It’s your body- you do what you want to. If you focus on eating right and staying active throughout the day, you are more likely to shed those extra pounds and keep them off.



You are what you eat



Eating right is essential. If you try to starve yourself, your body gets "shocked" and your metabolism slows down to try to hold on to extra fat. Try to maintain a good diet of approximately two thousand calories to keep your body working well. Instead of eating a great big juicy steak- try some fish. Salmon and tuna are high in lean proteins, and the fatty-acids are great for a healthy heart. Fruits and vegetables are a must. They contain a lot of water, which will help keep you hydrated while you are active. Try mixing up a good salad with your meals. When you are cooking, instead of butter or grease, try using olive oils or another low calorie product like some of the oil products from nuts (be careful if you are allergic to peanuts though). The big factor is cutting down your sugar intake. Sweets are a nice treat on occasion, but try to stay away from them as much as you can because sugar has no true nutritional value. If your metabolism is still slow, sugars will quickly turn into extra pounds. Whole wheat bread and other whole products are a good replacement for carbohydrates and a great source of fiber. Next time you’re at the store, grab the loaf of whole wheat bread instead of the regular. A slice of bread makes a nice treat instead of a cupcake.



Make it fun!



Activities that are fun and convenient are a great addition to your diet. Some folks try to train hard too fast, and wear themselves out. It’s not much fun and often times can’t be sustained. You can still lose the weight, but it may not stay off after you stop the rigorous workout. Fun activities like a daily walk in the park with your family or four-legged friend, allow you to enjoy life while you are burning calories. Getting involved in organized (or even dis-organized sports) like a friendly game of kickball is an exciting way to shed off some weight. The trick is to enjoy what you are doing, because if you don’t like it, you aren’t going to keep doing it. And if you want to keep doing it, you will keep living a happy and healthy life.