When Trying to Lose Weight, Don’t Forget to Exercise

A startling statistic has been circulating over the Internet.
This stat claims that half of all those who want to lose weight
don’t exercise. While this might seem mind-boggling at first, it
is not entirely surprising, when you stop to consider what
American culture has become.

In the early days of the republic, the majority of Americans
did hard labor on farms. They were used to exercise during their
normal workday, so they ate large meals in order to give them
the energy they needed to complete their tasks. There weren’t
any Oprah Winfreys around back then to question their eating
habits.

In the 19th century, Americans began moving into cities to take
factory jobs. Again, they spent much of their time on their
feet. Many walked to work and to school, so exercise was a part
of their normal routine. They didn’t have to worry about doing
Pilates or strength training, since ordinary life afforded many
opportunities to exercise.

Fast-forward to today. Many people have sedentary jobs, working
on computers, working at desks, working at cash registers. They
have little opportunity during their work days to move, let
alone get up and stretch. At home, they may spend much of their
time sacked out in front of a television set, or on their home
computer.

However, studies have proven that the best weight loss plan
combines sensible diet with exercise. Certainly, you can reduce
your calorie intake. But it is also important to boost your
metabolism, and that is best done through an exercise routine.
Since you must burn a phenomenal amount of calories in order to
lose pounds, exercise is crucial to long-term weight loss
success.

But what if you don’t enjoy exercise? How can you possibly
start an exercise program?

In short, you need motivation. This can come from a variety of
sources. For instance, you might want to play your favorite
up-tempo music during your exercise drills. This can provide the
incentive you need in order to get moving. Another motivator can
be to exercise with your children in tow. This could mean doing
jumping jacks with your kids, or jogging while you push a
stroller.

You might also consider joining a “Mommy and Me” exercise
class. Another winning strategy is to employ the services of an
exercise buddy. This can be your mate, a friend, or even your
mother. You can encourage each other, helping each other to
overcome various hurdles to regular exercise.

Another strategy is to base your exercise program on something
you really enjoy. Even those of us who are not athletic usually
have some physical activity that we look forward to, whether
it’s volleyball or tennis, bowling or swing dancing. The type of
activity isn’t as important as the fact that you are engaging in
it regularly.

If at all possible, you should add strength training to your
exercise regimen. Lifting weights can boost your metabolism,
causing you to burn calories while also adding muscle to your
frame. Strength training can also help you to guard against
osteoporosis and other health problems.

You might also consider hiring a personal trainer. He or she
can act as your coach, urging you on when you feel like
quitting. A trainer can provide you with the inspiration
necessary to achieve your weight goals. It has also been shown
that those who employ a trainer reach their optimum weight
faster than those who do not.

You should also prioritize exercise. You should mark it in your
daily planner and stick to a regular exercise schedule. The
important thing is to make exercise a regular part of your life.
It should not be limited to special occasions, or those times
when you are in the mood. It needs to be as regular as breathing.

In order to be a healthy person, you simply need exercise. And
exercise is also beneficial to your mind as you begin your
weight loss program. It can clear your head and help you to work
out your frustrations. In short, it can give you a sense of
accomplishment that will put you in the right frame of mind when
trying to shed weight.

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