Body Workout Plan

It’s that time of year again! The holidays have passed and you sit sluggishly in your easy chair feeling a bit guilty over what you have consumed the last couple of months! You “resolve” to lose weight. It’s a new year, with new chances, and that should be enough motivation to get started.

Yet with all these good intentions, why do so many women fail to meet their goals? In fact, records show that some even gain weight. It could be that you are setting goals that are overwhelming. The changes to your diet may be too drastic, or the exercise routine you envision is too demanding. You may be discouraged by the number of pounds you want to drop. Start small.

If you want to lose 50 lbs, set your first goal at 10 lbs. When you reach that ten pound loss (and congratulations!), reward yourself! Treat yourself to a movie or buy that blouse you’ve been admiring. Or that purse – since it will still “fit” once you’ve hit your goal weight! When establishing the menu you will follow, stick with a range of foods that you enjoy.

With all the choices now in fat free, carb free, reduced calorie foods, you can be creative with your food planning. Learn to use spices to enhance flavors. And research the internet for helpful hints. For example: Drinking a hot beverage and then a cold one before a meal will give you a “full” feeling before you even start the meal itself!

Eating a dill pickle can alter chocolate cravings! Using a small plate for your food instead of a large one is a good brain trick! (This is a good time to remind you that you might want to consult your physician before embarking on a weight loss plan. It is important to rule out any medical reasons you might have for gaining weight or any guidelines you may need to consider in establishing an exercise routine.)

Which leads to the importance of exercise. Exercise is crucial. It gets that metabolism in gear to burn those calories! However, if you force yourself to take that 30 minute walk every day at 5:00, you will probably get bored fast. Choose different forms of exercise. Walking is great, but so is throwing a favorite music CD in and dancing the calories away! Swimming is great and feels wonderful in the hot, sticky summer months.

If walking is your preference, then try to variety in choosing a route. A long walk on the beach or in a park is so much nicer than strolling the same sidewalk every day. You might consider asking a friend to go with you – good conversation enhances a walk, too. Or fasten an IPOD to your belt and listen to some of your favorite tunes.

Remember to take some water with you as well. It’s important to stay hydrated. Keep things pleasant!! The idea is to not look at this diet as a dreaded phase of your life. Make it fun, eat things that are tasty and filling and celebrate every small plateau you achieve on the way to reaching your goal weight! Don’t punish yourself if you give in to temptation once in awhile – but think “small” if you do.

Don’t order the large ice cream cone, order a small one. You gained this weight because you took in more calories than you used. Reverse that, and you will watch the weight come off, you will feel healthier and you will be proud of yourself for achieving that goal you set! Good luck!