Achievable Exercise Tips For Weight Loss

Achievable Exercise Tips For Weight Loss

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A sensible diet and regular exercise are the key ingredients to weight loss. Yet these difficult tasks are often so hard to accomplish and more easily said than done. I maintain that when it comes to exercise, effectiveness is all about attitude and approach. It is amazing, that with some thought, creativity and planning, you can take your daily routine and intertwine exercise in many ways. But it will take that important step of decision, a decision which will add to your life and take away from your waist!

Make sure you don't fall for the latest infomercial featuring exercise machines. You don't actually need to spend a lot of money. Maybe you have some equipment previously purchased. If so, that's fine, dust it off and set it up somewhere you'll pass everyday so that you're more inclined to use it regularly. Those kinds of tummy sucking wonders tend to be large and take up lots of storage, so only go for one if you have the place to put it. Otherwise, consider purchasing a large exercise ball; these are cheap and effective for exercising most of your muscle groups.

One mistake many make is to suppose that exercising will take big chunks of our time. Just take it one step at a time. It's easy to find exercise DVDs which consist of 20 minute routines, and if you do this at least 3 times a week, you will be on your way to a better physique. Usually, exercise is best completed first thing in the morning before the demands of your day take hold. It's a good idea to get it over with and then you can relax for the rest of the day, without thinking of when you will fit it in. A lady I know does a 20 minute aerobics workout last thing before bed every evening; this works perfectly well for her and she can't believe how well she sleeps as a result! The worst thing you can do is miss a couple of sessions as this is when despondancy sets in and you'll be less likely to pick up and resume your exercise habit. Anyway, the time you exercise is an individual thing and you need to choose the time you know you have free every day, then be disciplined about developing the exercise habit.

Make it enjoyable. If something has to be endured rather than enjoyed it probably wont last. Sit down with pen and paper and jot down ten things you love doing. Then examine your list and see how you could incorporate exercise naturally into these activities. If one of the items on your list is - playing squash with a friend - then you're laughing! But chances are that your items are more along the lines of - dining out with my partner - and this will take some creative thought. For instance, where could you go to eat which is atmospheric, delicious, provides you with some healthy dietary options and also is near to a lovely beach or nature walk? Consider cycling to your cafe destination, and take the whole family! What great memories you'll make, plus you'll be modelling healthy living to your kids. In the summertime, my wife and I make a habit of taking the kids for a sunset walk on the beach, after dinner. No one's allowed to watch television until we return. What wonderful conversations and laughs we have enjoyed in these times of fresh air and no distractions.

Incorporate exercise into your every day routine. Put away the television remote control and everyone will be forced to get up to turn channels. Park in the parking spot the furthest from the shop door and everyone will be forced to walk briskly across the car park. Carrying shopping bags back to the car will be like lifting weights at the gym! Choose to take the stairs EVERY time rather than the lift. Get off the bus one stop before your usual stop and walk the extra distance. Take time out during your busy working day (especially if you sit at a computer most of the day) and take a brisk walk around the block. You'll be absolutely amazed at the difference it will make to your powers of concentration and well being.

Competition is a fine motivator. You don't have to be competitive with others, why not record your own improvement. To do this, rule up a simple chart and hang the chart somewhere prominent in your home. On the chart, record how long each of your brisk walks took you to complete. In another column, record your pulse rate at the conclusion of each walk. What you'll notice, of course, is that your time gets shorter and you'll get steadily fitter as the days go on. This will surely inspire you to keep training. Soon you'll be wanting to increase the distance you walk because you'll be so much faster than you started. If you struggle with an existing injury, don't use this as an excuse. Of course you must take medical advice and never push yourself beyond what you're advised, but even a walk to the letterbox and back every day is better than settling for nothing.

Get inspired about where you exercise, don't just settle for your local neighbourhood if it's not interesting enough to maintain your enthusiasm. Where is your favourite scenery within a few minutes drive of your house? Drive there and give yourself some visual enjoyment as you walk. It might be bush, an allocated walking/cycling track, around a lake etc. If your favourite place in all the world is the local shopping centre there's nothing stopping you doing as a friend of my wife's. She arrives before the crowds every morning and walks the length of the building four or five times as her daily routine, and she couldn't be happier!

Don't overdo it. This is often a pitfall of the enthusiastic. Always start small and allow your challenges to grow. If you lift weights which are too heavy or start jogging before you've mastered walking briskly, you're in for trouble. At the worst you'll injure youself or endanger your health and at best you'll be very sore and sorry the next day. So many times I've witnessed joggers (often older people) almost killing themselves along the side of the road. I wish they realized that a very brisk walk will do them more good than their excrutiating run.

One of the best forms of exercise which suits most people is swimming. It's suitable for all ages, is low impact and works most muscle groups. In hot weather it's refreshing, and if you're lucky enough to live near a heated pool it can be enjoyed all year round. Swimming especially suits those who don't want to let anyone else down as it can be an individual activity and it doesn't matter if you're not very sporty. Swimming benefits everyone, even those who don't swim particularly well.

If you need more motivation and accountability, choose your favourite sport and join a local sporting competition. Team sports may be the answer for you. It is amazing how we feel we can't let others down and so turn up to play even when we don't feel like it.

Give yourself the edge and ensure you are consuming the most helpful drinks during your exercise sessions. Water, water and more water should accompany every form of exercise. At the end, you need to consume a whey protein based shake or drink to assist in fat burning as energy and speed up the muscle repair process. To this you can add L Carnitine if you really need to lose weight. This is most effective about 20 minutes after exercise completion. Make this a priority if you want to maximise the effects of your hard work.

This can be a new day for you if you are willing to put a bit of thought and creativity into your daily lifestyle. Now is the time you must make the decision to make some changes. Exercising regularly does not have to be painful. There are limitless opportunities to incorporate physical exercise into your daily routine. Your improved, slimmer physique will be your reward!

About the Author:
Colin Johnson has been a sought after fitness advisor and elite sports trainer in a variety of arenas. He heartily recommends whey protein shakes for muscle recovery and development and L Carnitine for weight loss and increased stamina.
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