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January 2006 is officially over.
Now is a good time to assess how far you've come on this years
resolution. If you are like most people, it probably had
something to do with losing weight and getting in better shape.
Have you already given up on your fitness kick? If so, a kick in
the butt and a sensible plan is what you need to get to the
finish line.
Here are some tips to help you keep your promise to yourself to
improve your physical health and wellbeing for 2006 and beyond.
Take a long term approach. Long term results come from sustained
efforts. Making little changes in everyday life can add up.
Instead of using a fad diet to help reduce your weight
temporarily, make lifestyle changes for a lifetime of health and
permanent weight loss.
*Replace sugar laden sodas with water. This simple substitution
will cut hundreds of empty calories from your diet. One pound of
fat is 3,500 calories, which is equal to around 23 8 ounce
servings of soda. One 20 ounce bottle is 2 1/2 servings, so 9
bottles cut eliminates the potential for another pound of fat.
This is a no brainer, and doesn't even require extra exercise!
*If you dine out often, replace greasy and fattening side dishes
(or main courses even) with a salad. Most restaurants offer a
number of different salads to satisfy those seeking healthier
alternatives. A large order of french fries at a popular fast
food chain is 520 calories, as opposed to 90 for a plain caesar
salad. This saves 430 calories! Choose grilled meats over fried
meats to keep the calories low. Don't think of a salad as a
sandwich served on lettuce.
*Make an effort to move your body everyday. It doesn't matter
how. Move your body through dance, walking, running, biking. Or
use a treadmill, elliptical trainer or attend a fitness class
such as spinning or step class. 20 to 30 minutes daily will help
to build endurance and improve fitness.
*Keep track of what you eat in a day. This will help pinpoint
problem areas. If you start to notice patterns, you can address
them. You might find that you eat a candy bar or doughnut as a
mid morning snack every day without even realizing it. Knowing
that you are doing these things is the first step in making
changes to fix them.
Don't get discouraged! There are millions of people just like
you, wanting to feel better, look better and get healthy. You
too, can be one of them. Simple changes can really go a long
way. If you need ideas, support or motivation, consider joining
a weight loss club, or online community. You can find
constructive ideas to help attain your goals and support from
people that have the same goal as you do...
A long life filled with health and fitness.
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