“I eat like a bird, why do I gain weight?” When someone says that, I ask them “What kind or a bird a sparrow or a vulture”? Studies showed that there is a direct correlation between a person being inactive and weight gain. Experts say that it is inactivity, not excess eating that can add excess body fat.
Losing excess bodyweight is simple as soon as one follows certain systematic
procedures. You cannot, however, invent your own rules or follow the advice of the
uninformed.
For instance, I recently talked with a woman who was following a well-known
franchised diet plan. Her “diet consultant” recommended that she should not
exercise while dieting.
Proving this thinking is erroneous are many articles in Medical Journals. They state
that if one simultaneously attempts weight loss without following a properly
designed exercise program, some or the lost body weight is muscle tissue.
Muscle tissue is dynamic tissue and provides the ability to fulfill daily activities as
sitting, standing, and walking. It is extremely important to preserve as much of it as
possible. If you exercise while dieting, you will not lose valuable muscle tissue.
Weight Management
Three components to weight control are interdependent and mutually supportive.
They are (1. Diet (2. Exercises, and (3. Behavioral change and (4. A support system.
Most experts recommend an intake of 1200 to 1500 calories daily. That amount of
calories will pro vide the body with enough energy to allow all bodily functions to
happen. Typically, less calories are not considered healthy for the average person.
The exact mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in this 1200-1500 calorie vary.
Generally, a healthy diet should be high in carbohydrates intake, low in fat and
protein. Check with your physician for recommendations. Your diet should also:
I. Satisfy all nutrients needs except most energy needs.
2. Be acceptable to meet individual tastes and way of life.
3. Minimize hunger and low energy.
4. Be readily available and socially acceptable.
5. Favor the establishment of a lasting pattern of eating.
6. Be conducive to improvement of complete health.
Exercise
The following guidelines offer a result producing fitness program for dieters.
I. Frequency: Three to five days per week.
2. Intensity: 40 to 85% of your maximum heart rate, depending on your present
physical condition. Calculate maximum heart rate by subtracting your age from the
number 220.
3. Duration: Up to 30 minutes (or as recommended by you health care provider) at
a moderate pace, which allows normal conversation while exercising. Check with
your physician or health care practitioner for recommendations.
4. Type of activity: Any activity maintained for a time, using large muscle groups in
Rhymtic motions. Example: jogging-running, walking-hiking, swimming, cycling
(stationary or on-road), rowing machines, or any endurance-type game activities,
such as cycling (stationary or on the road), or any other endurance type activities
you prefer.
It will take about three months to reach a maximal improvement in fitness. Then,
you must continue to exercise and practice weight management to prevent your
body from reverting, slowly but surely, to its previous, out-or shape condition.
Behavioral Modification and a Support System
Behavior change is the most difficult to master and the most complex of the three
components; space does not allow an in-depth discussion or it here. However, here
are some guidelines that work.
1. Keep precise records daily.
2. Eat roods you enjoy but know when to stop.
3. Enlist the support or friends and relatives.
4. Weigh yourself no more than once a day -morning is best.
5. Don’t be so serious about it that you become disheartened if you “blow it”
occasionally.
6. Don’t expect to lose more than three pounds or more per week. That is much fat.
Next time, you are al a meat counter, ask the butcher for three pounds or fat.
Seeing believes.
7. Expect about a seven to ten day interval time before your diet kicks in and your
weigh begins to drop. Do not abandon hope so soon.
8. If possible, divide your total calorie intake for the day into many small instead or
three large meals.
9. Be patient! You can do it.
10. Set realistic, long-term goals.
Remember staying fit is a way or life. It calls for above average discipline,
motivation, and patience.
Everyone that makes the commitment to lose excess body fat and to become fit,
agree on one thing: Once you achieve wellness, you will never want to be average
again.
You can and should do it.
Go for it.
Joseph F Mullen
Author/Consultant/Fitness Coach
www.joemullen.org [http://www.joemullen.org]
Joseph Mullen is the author of numerous books, national magazine and newspaper articles, with appearances on numerous radio and television programs.
A former owner of fitness and physical therapy centers, he is a former staff member of Nautilus SportsMedical Industries and former Regional Director of Northern California for MedX West.
He is the President of Fitness Therapy Publishing. His latest book is: The Da Vinci Fitness Code which is available by contacting him at joemullen.org@mac.com
