Make This Year Your Fit Year!
Feeling worn out and sluggish? Have the winter blues been keeping you from jumping into a regular workout routine? It's not too late to make 2007 your "fit year," and get in the best shape of your life. You just need a bit of motivation!
And you don't have to go it alone! I'll be working towards my own weight loss goals this year and documenting my progress on my new year's resolutions lens.
Fitness Without the Fads
Lose Weight Without Fads and Yo-yo Dieting
I've never been a fan of fad diets, and refuse to use them. I believe wholeheartedly that the keys to successful weight loss are finding a strong motivation within yourself and making permanent lifestyle changes. Fad diets by their nature can't be maintained indefinately, which is why people often bounce from one to the next over the years.By no means am I in great, or even good, shape. But I did lose about 45 lbs in 2006, and was able to do that with smaller lifestyle changes, rather than resorting to popular fad diets. I intend to work even harder to lose weight in 2007.
My own biggest problem is keeping myself interested in working out. I'd happily avoid it like the plague, so I need to keep a lot of options open.
Some of the below books, videos, and even fitness software programs are my favorites, and highly recommended. Give them a try if you're hoping to simply shed some holiday weight or wanting to change your life with more drastic weight changes in 2007.
Your Own (Affordable) Personal Trainer!
This Virtual Personal Trainer is One of My Favorite Workout Tools
Health and Fitness Books
Learn How to Make Lifelong Changes for Your Health
Below are some of my favorite books on nutrition and fitness issues, without resorting to fad diet programs. They range from toning workouts to flexibility training to choosing the healthiest (and tastiest) food options without feeling deprived. Read Up to Lose Weight!
My Favorite Weight Loss Tips
While losing weight last year, I made an effort to make a lot of small lifestyle changes. Some of them had a dramatic impact on helping the pounds to melt off, versus hitting a plateau. I'm sure there are plenty of other tips, but these are some of my favorites that have worked for me.
Please note: I'm not a doctor, and I'm not suggesting any of these things will work for you, or that you should even try them. Please consult a doctor before making any drastic changes to your daily activities or eating habits.
Please note: I'm not a doctor, and I'm not suggesting any of these things will work for you, or that you should even try them. Please consult a doctor before making any drastic changes to your daily activities or eating habits.
- Drink plenty of water. - We've all heard to drink 8 glasses (8 oz) of water per day. Diet sodas, coffee, etc. don't count because of the caffeine. Because I'm awake more hours than most, and busy during most of them, I try to up that as much as possible to 10-12 glasses per day. I'm not a fan of water, but I find that flavored waters and non-caffeinated herbal teas do the trick. I still drink my favorite diet soda, but it's in addition to, and not replacing, any of that water... it's more of a treat.
- Eat all day. - That doesn't mean to snack away on whatever you want, and overeat all day. It means eat 5-6 small meals per day, spaced out every few hours, instead of 3 larger meals. It helps to keep you energized all day, and keeps your metabolism up, making your workouts more effective for burning calories.
- Tone in the morning. - I don't buy into fad diets or fitness routines, but I did make this change after reading some of the 8 Minutes in the Morning books by Jorge Cruise. I don't follow his program, but the basic idea is to do toning / strength work for a few minutes in the morning. On top of the typical benefits, it helps to rev up your metabolism early, and it stays up for a few hours (which are often our busiest hours of the day).
Share Your Weight Loss Tips
I've shared my three favorite weight loss tips above. Does something else work well for you? Tell us about it by sharing your own weight loss tips here!
Lensmaster
completedietinfo wrote...
Being fit means you also have to stay healthy. Weight watchers food recipes should always be your first choice.. You wouldn't want to lose the body you've been working really hard for!
Posted March 27, 2009
Lensmaster
writertiff wrote...
I have Yourself Fitness and I just bought The Best Life by Bob Greene. Come visit my progress lens at www.squidoo.com/thebestlife and cheer me on! Tiff :)
Posted January 20, 2007
Yoga for Weight Loss
Flex, Feel Good, and Get Fit!
It didn't take long for me to learn to love yoga. I have to admit that I slacked off during the Summer and Fall. I'm planning to push hard into a regular routine again in the new year.You don't have to already be flexible for yoga to be beneficial to you in your weight loss efforts. You can adapt most moves to your ability level, and it can make you feel more relaxed and energized all at once. If you haven't given yoga a try yet, why not make it a resolution for 2007?
Here are some of my yoga favorites, including a yoga book, videos, and even equipment that I use.
Share in My Favorite Yoga Equipment and Videos
Cold Weather Calorie Burners
Don't Let a Winter Chill Stop You From Working Out
It's easy to feel a bit of extra motivation in the new year when you set weight loss resolutions. But sometimes the cold weather early in the year is enough to discourage us before we really get started.An easy solution to the cold weather problem is to find indoor workouts that you enjoy, whether it be workout videos, a gym membership, or home workout equipment. Below you'll find some of my favorite aerobic workout videos and some inexpensive workout equipment that you can use even if you only have limited space in your home.
Aerobic Workout Videos
Beat the Cold Weather Blues With These Indoor Workout Videos
Inexpensive Home Workout Equipment
You Don't Need a Lot of Space or Money to Workout at Home
Below you'll find variations of some of my favorite at-home workout equipment (although I don't use it all as often as I should!). All are relatively inexpensive, and can easily be tucked away under a bed or in a closet if you're short on space.
by jhmattern
jhmattern
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