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.