We are all told to exercise, but lots of people find it hard to disciple themselves into a regular training regime. This in itself can have long-term health implications. Sustaining a healthy weight is 80% what you eat and 20% what you do. Replace the pressure to exercise with an awareness of normal movement necessary to sustain a healthy body. Do you know that 10,000 steps are consider normal daily movement for the average person? Starting with an awareness of your daily movement or the lack of it is the best place to begin. A sedentary lifestyle is the fastest way to age! In fact, it could be killing you slowly! Increasing your activity plays a key role in the speed at which we reach our goals. If running, going to the gym or taking up a sport is not for you, explore other ways to increase your activity. For example, walk to work if you can, take the stairs instead of the lift, park in the furthest part of the car park. Spend more time moving rather than sitting still. If you have children or grandchildren kick a ball about with them, whack a tennis ball back and forth, play catch or turn on your favourite music and dance!! Make a plan to be active and stick to it. Do it with friends or family to make it more enjoyable. Keep it realistic. This way you will be more likely to succeed.
Where do you start? Master the basics of nutrition before you progress onto anything too disciplined or rigid. Take a long hard look at what you currently eat. Start here and aim to improve your diet by making small changes that work for you. Find what’s lacking in your diet & find a way to include the food groups that are missing from your day-to-day food intake.
When you have set up healthy eating habits & a regular exercise regime you can then take your body fat / muscle mass / fitness goals to the next level but getting the basics right first will give you the foundation you need to succeed.
Ask yourself ‘How’? How is my weight impacting on my life & health status? Why do I want to change? How can I change?
Make an overall plan on how you can achieve your goal – your plan should include lifestyle changes relating to what you eat and your level of activity – it has got to be realistic. Training for a marathon is a great way to shed the pounds but it’s not for everyone. Don’t put it on the plan if it’s not going to happen. Find foods you like. Foods that are good for you, discover what you like to eat. Find an activity you like, something that gives you a buzz. Do this with a friend or with the family. Refer to websites or programmes like operation transformation, or Doctor in the House for ideas on where to start. Get help with this if you are struggling.
