It’s Not Just a Diet and an Exercise Program – It’s A Lifestyle – continued…
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A healthy nutritious diet and an active exercise program have been proven to help women reach their desired weight. But the best results are achieved by those women who consistently stick to their diet and exercise and who maintain a journal to record their results.
I’m asked quite frequently about the ideal diet and exercise program for women. I pause at the question and take a moment to consider the person asking. That’s because many women are looking for a diet and exercise plan that can help them lose weight quickly. In other words they are searching for a quick fix that can help them take off some unwanted pounds in a hurry.
These are the same women who train for a marathon and then as soon as they reach their intended goal, give up and give in to their old way of life. Many times, they do this at the detriment of injuries from pushing a body that was not properly conditioned for competition.
Remember when it comes to your health and fitness, the way you eat and your level of activity become part of your lifestyle rather than just a diet that you subscribe to, or a rigorous two mile jog that you force your body to perform. Once you begin thinking of fitness as a way of life, you will assure your success because fitness will become a major part of who you are rather than just something that you are doing.
You will begin to look at food differently. It will no longer be the enemy or a secret liaison whose pleasure is prohibited by light of day. Food will become the answer to losing weight and improving your health. Healthy food that is nutritious and delicious.
Just as you didn’t adapt bad habits over night, it may take a little time to get used to eating healthier. The important thing is to acknowledge where you need to make changes and gradually work toward those goals. Try not to exchange one unhealthy habit for another. Don’t cut back on fat only to increase your sugar intake, don’t give up your favorite soda and eat a candy bar in its place. Instead choose foods that are naturally sweet, high in protein and low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol.
If you are ready to see real results in your new women’s fitness lifestyle, begin keeping a fitness journal. It’s a proven fact that women, who keep a journal of everything they eat and drink and all of their activity, have a far greater chance of losing weight and sticking to an exercise plan than those women who do not. The fitness journal keeps you accountable for your lifestyle. By writing everything down, it becomes easier to determine how much and what type of food you are eating and how much exercise you need to help you lose weight or gain weight. In other words, a journal puts you firmly in control and back in the driver’s seat so you can steer towards your fitness goals.
Begin each day with the affirmation that you are eating healthy foods. Repeat to yourself that you will only eat foods that provide substantial nutrition to your body. Proclaim your enthusiasm for exercise and its health benefits. Believe in what you say, treasure your body and be thankful for your health. The sad thing is that we seldom appreciate our health until it is gone. We don’t know what a wonderful thing we have until it is something we can no longer attain.
Start making changes today; don’t put it off any longer. Imagine never having to worry about losing weight again. It is possible, when you change the way you look at living. A healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and an active exercise program makes it easy to maintain your weight and fitness. Once you start living it, benefits like a healthy, strong and beautiful body make it a lifestyle you will cherish.
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