Fitness Tips: The Exercise Excuse

How many times have you been thinking about starting an exercise regime, but have come up with a variety of excuses as to why you shouldn’t. Some of my own favorites are: I’ll wait until I can afford some new workout clothes; I need a treadmill before I can workout; I don’t have an iPod, and my personal favorite……I’ll wait until I lose some weight first.

Now, I personally have used each of these at one time or another and I must say, I can make it sound convincing. After I convince myself that I need to wait, I promptly forget about the excuse I used and continue on the same way. A couple of months later, when I again deign to see myself in the mirror, the cycle starts all over again.

The saying, “Why put off for tomorrow what you can do today,” comes to mind. We can always find a valid excuse for putting something off; however, what we need to do is to find a valid excuse for actually doing it. We need to stop making excuses and start doing something. We don’t need new clothes to sweat in. We don’t need a treadmill when there is a perfectly good sidewalk outside. We don’t need an iPod to keep us company for 20 minutes, try silence and good old fashioned imagination. Once we put the excuses aside, we can begin to put the pounds aside.

Dial M for Muscle

As you gaze down upon the Scale of Doom, you notice that it has not moved a bit in fact, you may have gained a few extra pounds. You have been very faithful in fitness routine, so what’s the problem? Is this another weight loss plateau? If you are less than six weeks into your routine, chances are it’s something else. Yet, for those who do not know, it can be every bit as sinister as a plateau. It goes by many names, but I like to call it…Muscle Mass or MM, for short. That’s right, with all that exercising, you are actually toning and building muscle while you are losing fat. Since you are gaining muscle weight, that addition will show up on the scale. This is something that I discovered by accident.

I had been working-out on a regular basis and being faithful to my diet, but the weight was just not coming off. When I went to take my weekly measurements, I noticed that my waist size had actually decreased. How can I lose inches, but not lose weight? This is where MM comes in. I was so obsessed with the Scale of Doom, that I never even noticed that I was building muscle. It was a pleasant shock when I actually looked at myself in the mirror and noticed muscle where none had before existed.

So, next time you step upon the scale and notice no change, just remember that you're not only losing the fat, but you're gaining muscle.

Weight-Loss and Support

Feeling alone and left out when everyone is settling down to a nice meal and your stuck grazing on a salad. To quote the X-Files, you are not alone. There are millions of us out there that are going through the same thing. We are having the same feelings that you are. Unless we all wear a sign that say, “Please don’t feed me, I’m Dieting,” then there is no way to tell who we are.
There are many of us, who are currently on diets that may need to have the extra motivation and support that a group can give us. There are many difficult times during a diet and I find that most of these times occur when we are awake. There is no shame in needing additional support during a diet. Firstly, you need to know that you have taken a very courageous step in deciding to lose weight. Believe it or not, most people do not have the same strength of will as you do. Secondly, dieting is very difficult, why make it more difficult by going through it alone?

Being able to talk to someone who has been through the same trials and tribulations as you are presently going through is a very helpful thing. The feelings and cravings you are experiencing, have in fact been experienced before. To actually know that you are not alone in your quest, is a very empowering feeling. To know that you can ask someone a question at any time can be just what you need to get you through those difficult times. Here are a few online forums where you can go to share your stories and experiences with others. I have viewed them all and they seem to be very helpful:
mydietbuddy.com/

www.momsview.com



If you like to have a more structured type of support group, then you could try one of the following:

www.weightwatchers.com

http://www.jennycraig.com/

www.consumersearch.com

As always, if you need further assistance or would just like to talk, please leave a comment and I will get back with you. Best of success:)

Dieting and Eating:The Battle Rages Part-1

There is a common belief amongst us dieters that states, “The less you eat, the more you lose.” For the most part, I agree with this statement. However, the problem arises with how you define “eat less.” Does this mean you eat less food throughout the day, or does it mean you eat less food by having only one meal during the day?

When I started my diet over 10 months ago, I subscribed to this belief and I became a strict one-mealist. What I did was hoard my allotted calories and used them all at once. The reason behind this strange behavior, was it gave me something to look forward to later on in the day. If I had that “carrot” dangling out there, it helped me fight any depression I might feel by being on this diet in the first place.

I must say that this worked, for the most part. I would exercise in the morning and reward myself with an icy glass of water...Yum. I drank like a fish, water that is, and would eagerly await the time when I could actually put solid food in my mouth. Yes, I did snack on carrots and celery throughout the day, but I don’t count that as real food. As time went on and I lost more and more weight, I noticed that the amount of weight that I lost each week declined. I went from losing 4-5 pounds a week, which is typical at the beginning of a diet, to only 1-2 pounds per week. However, soon even this weight-loss stopped. What was happening?

Tomorrow: Part Two.

See Also:
Dieting and Eating:The Battle Rages, Part Two

Fitness Tips: Exercise Combo

Now that you have chosen your preferred type of exercise, ask yourself whether it is a strength training or cardio workout. Whichever one you have chosen, you will need to add the other to your workout routine as well.

Why, because they complement each other and by combining the two, you will not only lose weight faster, but you will be able to add that lean muscle mass we all want. Now, you don’t have to do both types each and every day. I would suggest that you do, for example, cardio Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and then do strength training on Tuesday and Thursday. Then the next week, flip the order around. This way you will hopefully not get into a rut and become bored.

Fitness Tips: The Exercise of Choice

Have you decided to exercise, but you don’t know what type of exercise to do? As you know, there are hundreds of different types of programs and machines out there all calling your name; hoping that you will pick them. I have a suggestion, which will help you in this all-important decision. Ask yourself one question: What do you enjoy doing?

Yes, it’s that simple. If you enjoy walking or running (cardio), that will be your exercise of choice. If you enjoy lifting weights (strength training), then do that. Why, because if you do something that you enjoy, then you are apt to stick with it longer. If you spend each day dreading working out, I can guarantee that your exercise program will run aground before six weeks are up.

Spring has Sprung

Spring is in the air and that means it's time, once again, to begin the outdoor ritual of: The Mowing of the Lawn. Although it conjures visions of woe and dread, it is something that must be acknowledged, nigh, embraced. However, before you can begin a new year of this annual ritual, you must first be sure that your lawn trimming device is in good working order. Proper lawn care begins in the garage. I am assuming that, as seasoned lawn manicurists, you properly winterized your mower. No? Did you remove the gas and drain the oil? No? Well, here is your chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of Lawn Maintenance Engineers everywhere.
Before tackling the jungle that is your lawn, let's take a few moments to make sure that your mower is healthy and happy. First, make sure that the mower is nice and clean. We don't want last years' weeds infecting this years' lawn. Second, let's get that blade sharpened. Nothing makes a lawn look worse, then to have it torn instead of cut. Third, change the oil. Forth, change ALL the filters: gas and air. Fifth, change the spark plug and make sure it is gaped properly. This will save gas and help extend the life of your $200+ investment. Finally, make sure that your deck is at the proper height (2 and 1/2 to 3 inches).

Now, you are ready to don your Pith Helmet and journey forth into the jungle that is your lawn.