"I don't feel old. I don't feel anything till noon. That's when it's time for my nap."Bob Hope
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A Healthy Guide to Good Nutrition
Whether you are at your ideal weight or striving to reach your weight goal is it simply a matter of burning more calories than you take in? The answer, I suggest, is no! Overall body health improvement as well as weight gain or loss must be factored in to ...
Carbohydrates, Proteins, and Hidden Fats
Recent TV news showed that various food brands are offeringlow carbohydrate foods due to public demand. That just showshow poorly informed the public can be.The Mayo Clinic (http://www.mayoclinic.com/) tells us that"Every day your body requires certain ...
How Low-Carb Diet Plans Treat Carbohydrates
A number of popular diets are focused on carbohydrates. Some demonize them. Then warn you against eating any carbohydrates. Others in fact, emphasize a high carbohydrate intake. Here is how low-carbohydrate diet plans treat carbohydrates.(Such as The ...
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(But What You Need to Know if You Want to Get Fit!)
10) No, you wont end up looking like the latest hot young model/singer/actress!
Lets face it: your body is your body. Its the only one youve got. Can you still look great? Sure! But there are some things you cant change. You cant make your legs longer or your feet smaller. You cant grow five inches or elongate your torso. You have what you have, so work with it! Concentrate on making a healthy and fit you instead of wishing you looked like someone else. You dont have to be perfect to be attractive. A strong, fit body as well as the self-confidence it brings can make any person attractive!
9) Its better to be muscular and weigh more than to be flabby and weigh less.
Ive said it so many times: Id much rather be 135lbs and muscular than 120lbs and flabby. Ive been both, and 135lbs with a lower percent of body fat was definitely better! I was smaller, stronger and had much more energy. So, dont always seek that magical number on the scale, but look at your total body composition instead.
8) You cant get fit in a week.
Okay, well, you can, but only if youre one week away from being in peak condition and you keep working out. Otherwise, forget about it! If you want to look good for that class reunion or because youll be in a bikini soon, then get moving way before that. Or better yet, get moving for your own health and not for things like reunions and bikinis.
7) You need to put some effort into it.
You want to get fit? You have to work at it. You have to plan it, you have to schedule it, and, most importantly, you have to do it. No excuses. Sitting on the couch, telling yourself you should be doing something will not burn up a lot of calories. If nothing else, get out there and start walking. And while youre out there walking think about a plan of action for a healthier you and get started on it today - not tomorrow!
6) You need to exercise.
Can you lose weight just by diet alone? Sure, you can! But if you want to get fit, you need to exercise those muscles, including your heart. And that heart wont get any exercise if youre sitting on the couch, eating broccoli. Lose the weight that you need to lose and youll just end up with a thin, but flabby, body. Get moving! Weight training is ideal, but if youre really not into weight training, find an activity you like to do that work all your major muscle groups.
5) You need to eat properly.
Putting aside any low carb/low fat/high protein controversies, the simple fact is, if you want a fit body, you need to nourish it. Protein, carbs and fat are important, but vitamins and minerals are key elements that your body needs, too. No matter what way of eating youre following make sure youre getting enough vitamins and minerals. Add a variety of fresh vegetables and fruit to your diet. The next time you go grocery shopping, linger around the produce section and not only pick out some old favorites, but experiment a little by trying something new!
4) You cant lose weight overnight.
You didnt gain it overnight -- or in two months -- and youre not going to lose it overnight -- or in two months. Think of getting fit as a train leaving the station: you start off slow, gather speed and then off you go! Patience is the key here. Look for consistent trends. If youre really not losing fat and getting stronger after a couple of months, then you need to sit down and honestly analyze what youre doing. Keep a journal to help you know how youre really eating and exercising.
3) You cant spot reduce.
Genetics will decide where the fat will come off. Doing 1000 crunches wont reduce your belly fat. Nor will 1000 leg lifts get rid of the fat on your inner thighs. Your body does not burn the fat it needs from the body part that youre exercising. Your body will burn fat much like an onion is peeled, a layer at a time, if you will. So, dont overdo it on the exercise for one specific body part and look to getting your whole body in shape.
2) There are no quick fixes.
Thats right, you heard me. There are no quick fixes. None. Put all those pills, potions, contraptions and miracle diets in the garbage where they belong. Learn the basics about how your body gains muscle and loses fat, so you wont get sucked in by another scam again.
1) Fitness is a lifelong commitment!
So, you faithfully work out and eat properly and youve reached your goals. Now what? Well, now youve got to keep doing it for the rest of your life, thats what! You cant just work your way to being fit and then stop, because youll end up exactly like you were before. Fitness is a lifelong commitment. And, you want to know a secret? It isnt easy! And anyone who says it is easy is trying to sell you something. Make fitness a lifelong ambition and youll reap the rewards of a long and healthy life, filled with energy, strength and an overall sense of well being.
Suzanne Hiscock has been interested in fitness and nutrition for over 16 years. She is the owner of Fitwatch Inc. and developer of the FitWatch Fitness Tracker, an online food and exercise tracker. You can visit the FitWatch website at http://www.fitwatch.com for a variety of fitness calculators and tools.
suzanneh@fitwatch.com
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