WHEN most people are looking to lose weight, they go on a diet.
They pick the latest low-carb, no-carb, highprotein or low-fat fad out there, and hope to stick with it long enough to lose 10 or 20 pounds.
And, it will likely work. The problem comes after the goal weight is achieved and they go back to their pre-diet lifestyle.
A lot of people can lose weight, but not many let their new eating and exercise habits become part of their everyday life. The problem is, without making an entire lifestyle change, as soon as you halt the diet, the weight starts to pile back on. That's not to say dieting won't work. If you have a lot of weight to lose, a diet might help to kick-start weight loss and get you thinking about your health. Plus, some people need a sense of deprivation to get them to realize what they're putting into their bodies, and to feel like they're making a change. But to keep the weight off, it's important to change the way you eat in the longterm and transform it into a new, healthy lifestyle.
It takes 21 days to form a habit, or, in this case, to break the habit of unhealthy eating. The first part is the most difficult because you have to consciously think of what you are, or aren't, eating. There are many diets out there, but the truth is we all know what healthy eating looks and feels like. Concentrate on being healthy, not following a strict regimen you read in a book.
After accomplishing your initial weight loss, you need to remind yourself that achieving and maintaining your ideal and healthy bodyweight will be a lifetime commitment. Now you can change your thoughts about eating from depriving yourself to being healthy. Focus on eating three meals and two snacks daily, controlling your portions, and making sure to take in a lot of fibre, protein and foods rich in antioxidants, as well as drinking plenty of water, and green or white tea. You need to achieve an overall balance, not completely avoid carbs and fats.
Healthy eating is important in maintaining a healthy weight, but it is only half the equation. Exercise is key, especially when coming off of your diet. It's unrealistic and unhealthy to meticulously count calories, but you should still actively think about what you have to do to maintain a healthy body. Exercise a minimum of three times weekly, incorporating weights into your regimen. Keep yourself challenged by increasing your weights or repetitions every three or four weeks.
The key is to start looking at healthy living as a lifestyle change, not just a short-term solution to shed some pounds. It's not going to be easy. Keeping your body healthy and active will be hard work, but with determination and persistence, you'll continue to reap the benefits of your efforts, and will be on the road to a healthy body for life. Your body will feel better when you're eating healthy and your body composition will reflect this change.
Shaun Karp is a certified personal trainer. For further information, call his office at 604-420-7800 or visit his website, www.karpfitness. com.
