Exercise A Key Ingredient To Weight Loss
Unbelievably, a recent statistic that has been released on the Internet states that 50% of people who are trying to lose weight do not exercise. Although that may sound incredible, it is really not that shocking considering the direction of the American culture over the past few years.
Early in our American history, we find that everyone had to work hard on farms, so they worked in their daily exercise through their labor. Yes, they could eat large meals because they needed those calories to have the energy required for a long day’s job. No one questioned what they ate or how much; there was no need to do so.
Through the Industrial Revolution of the 19th century, Americans left the fields to start working in the city in factories. They still had to walk a great deal and spend the majority of their day on their feet. Without cars most walked to and from work and school so that even if they sat at their job, there was still physical activity on a daily basis. They didn’t have to work in a 30-minute exercise routine on top of everything else.
Looking at modern times, Americans have much easier jobs that are often distanced from any physical activity. Sitting at a desk or standing in one place at a cash register, these workers are fairly sedentary throughout the workday. They can’t leave their station to move around. Once they leave work, they sit in the car on the commute home. At home, they will usually stretch out in the recliner to watch TV. Unfortunately, Americans still tend to eat much like they did in early times without the physical activity to burn the calories off.
Studies have continually shown that successful weight loss plans use both a reasonable diet and an exercise regime. Yes, weight will drop by just reducing calories, but more calories will be burned if the metabolism is fired up by physical activity. Since 3,500 calories have to be burned to lose one pound, you really need both exercise and diet in order to achieve that many without jeopardizing your health.
You may find that you don’t like to exercise so you have trouble started a regular workout routine. Basically, you need to find something to motivate you. You can try many different things to find that motivation. Maybe you just need to fast beat music to make you feel energized as you exercise. You might find it easier if you incorporate something useful into the exercise time, so you could push the baby in the stroller or take the dog for a walk/jog. If you have a new infant, you could join a class that has new moms lift and play with baby as part of the exercise class. Working out with a partner that will help keep you accountable is often helpful in keeping you from making excuses. You can cheer each other on and count on each other for support during the hard times.
The best idea is to find an activity that you really enjoy. Even though you may not be athletic, you can still find some activity that you are decently good at. You might try tennis, bowling, or dance lesson—anything that gets you moving and does so on a regular basis.
For even better results, you should add strength training. When you lift weights and increase muscle mass, the muscle will burn calories for you even when you are not “working out.” It also tones flabbiness and builds defenses against osteoporosis.
If you can afford it, hiring a personal trainer can provide that motivation that you can’t find in yourself. He/she is paid to keep you from quitting and to push you harder than you would normally push yourself. Usually, those who have a personal trainer lose the weight faster than those who go it alone.
Making exercise a priority in your daily routine is the key. You should schedule exercise time each day and stick to that schedule. If you do not make time for it, you won’t just amazingly find time to work it in. Since most people never get “in the mood” to exercise, you have to make it a habit.
To reach the healthiest state, you really need to add exercise to your dieting efforts. With exercise, you will feel better and think better, which in the long run will make you more likely to keep working and reaching that goal weight. If nothing else, it can jump start you to make you feel good about yourself and your goals so that you will have the mind set necessary for losing weight.
