Most people start their weight loss efforts in the spring to prepare for bikini season and summer vacations. This year, we in the Northern Virginia area weren’t blessed with a spring. We were still digging out from the insane winter storms and trying to get caught up. As a result, everything got pushed back.
For me, that included my efforts to get back in game shape, as they say. So, now that we’re back from the beach, I’m joining the masses intent on shedding about ten pounds. I don’t have any other beach plans, or photo shoots, or anything else coming up that requires it. I just prefer the feeling of being lean and (occasionally) mean.
Weight loss can’t be an event, and it can’t be boring. It’s impossible in one day or one week to reverse a life-long habit of eating high-glycemic, sugary or fattening comfort foods and guzzling sodas. In my experience, a healthy lifestyle change has been the driver, with weight loss coming as a result. Here are a few things I do (and recommend to others):
Get informed.
Dr. Ray Strand has a great book titled Healthy for Life, which addresses the problem of high-glycemic foods which drive many of us down the path of excess weight, stress-driven eating, and the path to preventable Type II Diabetes Mellitus. I recommend reading his book, and checking out his information at www.releasingfat.com. I’ll blog separately on foods, specifically, with some more recommended reading and viewing.
What about the fun part?
I love our Nintendo Wii, and not just for racing, golf, brawling, and the usual gamer-addicting reasons. WiiFit Plus is a great way to overcome the boredom of an exercise routine. Not everyone is cut out to do the same thing six days a week, and many people don’t feel comfortable at the gym. I get it. If you’re worried about other people judging your body, you can’t focus on what brought you to the gym in the first place. Motivation gets buried by excuses, and soon we’re right back where we started.
WiiFit Plus provides a number of different exercises, including yoga, strength training, aerobics and balancing. Some of the exercises are a breeze, and some are downright challenging. The program allows you to track your body mass index (BMI), weight and balance. You can create weight loss (or gain) goals based on the results. The Plus version also allows you to use pre-programmed routines, like Belly loss or Form. Better still, you can customize these routines, using any of the exercises. The Wii will track your favorites, make suggestions, and allow you to view time spent and calories burned from your routines. You can even choose a male or female virtual trainer.
There are plenty of activities and the kids will enjoy the game, too. The bottom line is that no one sticks with a program if it makes them miserable. WiiFit Plus is a blast and contains enough variety that working out won’t be a drag.
What about energy for your workout?
That’s an easy one. Burning 100 calories doesn’t make any sense if you’re drinking a pick-me-up that has 30 grams of fast-burning sugar. I’m a big fan of Rev3; a 10-calorie packet you put into a bottle of water before or during a workout. A Rev3 Surge pack contains black, white and green tea extracts, and uses Stevia as a natural sweetener. More info available at our site HERE.
So, in short, exercise is just like anything else; the more you enjoy it, the more you’ll be willing to stick with it. (Isn’t it always better to have a job or business you love instead of one where you feel miserable every morning?)
WiiFit Plus and Rev3 are a few things I use to keep myself dedicated to a healthy lifestyle. What about you? What are a few things you do to keep your workouts fresh, and keep you on track?
I can’t wait to hear your responses.
All the best,
nK