If you want to lose weight at a steady pace, you must do more than swap candy bars for protein bars. Losing weight is a lifestyle change. You have to get up off the couch and – also – change the way that you eat for life. This means eating good food and eating less of it. At the same time you must start exercising regularly. This means more than just a 30-minute workout a week. Below are some ways to get started.
- Eating a healthy diet is a good start to weight loss. You should start cutting back on sugars, starches, and animal fat. Instead, focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, beans, poultry, fish, healthy fats, and lean meats. You should also be drinking plenty of water. Many health experts recommend drinking one ounce per pound of body weight. This will help you cut out water retention and bloating.
- Keep a food journal so that you can see what you are eating and how much. This is very helpful if you are having trouble when losing weight. Record all of your drinks and all the water you drink, too. This can help you calculate any further changes that you need to make to your diet. Another good idea is to write about how you feel when you are eating. This can help you identify trends in your eating habits.
- Some studies show that progressive weight loss requires at least an hour or more of moderate exercise per day. Cardio and strength training are the best types of exercise to focus on. Cardio burns the most calories, which helps you lose weight faster. However, the amount of calories you burn is limited when this is all you do. Adding strength training help you to build muscle, which means you burn more calories all day long. This leads to even faster weight loss.
- Always start out slow when working out. If this means only working out for 30 minutes a day for three days a week to start, do it. Over time, you can work up to hour-long workouts that include both cardio and strength training. You can also dial up the intensity of your workouts over time. This gradual increase in workouts helps you to avoid injuries.
- Interval training is a good way to add intensity to your workouts. This allows you to work much harder, but for less time than normal workouts. These workouts are much more effective than cardio and strength training alone. Over time, you burn more and more calories as you up the intensity of each workout.
- Avoid any types of fad or crash diets. Anything that sounds too good to be true usually is, and sometimes can be harmful. In most cases, these diets help you to lose some weight, but, afterward, you will gain it all back. Losing weight is hard work. However, it is a lifestyle change that is very healthy for you. The benefits of eating right and exercise include a longer and healthier life. Aim to make small changes over time so that they can become permanent and an automatic part of your daily life.
For more information about weight loss and exercise, contact us at Promax Nutrition.