Spice Up Your Weight Loss Routine
Let’s be honest, talking about starting a weight loss routine does not exactly create a whole lot of excitement in a lot of people. We tend to view weight loss plans as being based on dull exercise and dull food. It is for this reason that so many overweight people fail to take the plunge and give a weight loss routine a real good go.
This is such a shame and is unnecessary – because with a bit of imagination and motivation a weight loss routine can be transformed into a life changing experience. The benefits of weight loss go far beyond just looking better. Weight loss has been proven to result in increased self esteem, confidence , mental energy and positive thinking among other things. Weight loss is, therefore, not just about superficial changes- there are so many ways that being healthy can enrich your life.
Of course words are easy to say- and talking about weight loss is easy to do. In order to maintain an effective weight loss routine we need to look at enhancing the present rather than just talking about the future. If you thought that weight loss has to be just about endless treadmill running then guess again. There is so much more that you can do than that.
Take exercise for instance, all too often a lack of an additional goal results in apathy and laziness. This is because we often respond better when we have expectation of others on our shoulders. Why not consider signing up for a fun run or mini marathon to raise money a charity of your choice- this is an excellent way to lose weight because not only have you then got your weight loss goal to achieve but also there is the added motivation to not let your sponsors and your chosen charity down. This way you also help to ensure that even when you are having an ‘off’ day – you can still rise to the challenge of completing your exercises.
Of course there are other ways you can inject some excitement into your exercise routine. Friends and relatives are ideal for enhancing your new lifestyle. For instance, you could strike a bet that you will meet an agreed weekly or monthly target. Or you can enlist a friend or relative who is also looking to lose weight into becoming your gym buddy. A gym buddy is one of the single best ways that you can enhance your weight loss routine. Not only does having some company make going to the gym more fun – but you can also use one another to spur and encourage each other along the way. You are far less likely to give up or refuse to go the gym when you have somebody else alongside, who is expecting you to go with them to the gym. With an extra person you can engage in activities and exercises that require cooperation and that are often fun to do. Such as throwing a medicine ball to one another or doing certain weight training routines.
Of course when it comes to friends and weight loss training it is often a case of the more the merrier. Is there a sport you are keen on or have always wanted to take up? If so then why not incorporate this into your routine. An evening kick about in the park for a couple of hours can burn as many calories as an afternoon in the gym. There are many sport societies out there that are crying out for new members so get down to your local leisure or community center and sign up. Alternatively, make things even more fun by starting up a side team with you and some friends. Basically the rule is this- if you are burning calories and having fun then you are more likely to make healthy living a lifestyle choice rather than a grudging commitment.
Finally when it comes to eating there are several ways you can turn healthy eating into something fun and exciting. There are many great resources out there on the internet such as the BBC food site and the www.healthychoices.com site. You can literally’ spice’ up your weight loss routine by replacing some of your favorite condiments with low fat additives- such as spices and herbs. Even dairy fans who are reluctant on giving up high fat favorites such as cheddar and full fat soft cheese can find some solace in the knowledge that mozzarella and cottage cheese are excellent replacements and low in fat.
