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Are you fighting fit or still trying to fight the flab?

Trying to lose those extra 'festive' pounds, gained over the Christmas period can often lead to frustration, especially if you are the kind of person who would prefer to hibernate in Winter. So, let's look at the facts. If you are finding it hard to lose weight, then consider the following:-

3500 kcals = 1 pound of body fat. This is what you have to expend every week in order to lose just one pound of fat. If you have a lot of weight to lose, then try to aim for at least 1-2lb weight loss every week. You may ask, HOW?
Keep a diary of what you eat, for a full week, but be honest with yourself. Write down what you eat at every meal and include suppers and snacks
Also be aware that alcohol is laden with calories. If you can stick to 14 units per week, then you can allow yourself a couple of small drinks per day. If you are a wine drinker, then try it with a mixer (a small glass of wine, topped up with soda water or diet lemonade with lots of ice and a slice of lemon!)
If you have maintained your diet diary honestly you will soon see a pattern developing. For instance, do you turn to sugary foods when stressed? Do you eat when you are bored? Write down your thoughts and feelings when you log your diary
If you can pinpoint the foods you eat that are ruining your diet, then consider this; a packet of Walkers plain crisps = 133 kcals. If you eat 2-3 bags a day, then you are looking at taking in approximately 399 kcals. So just by cutting down on crisps you are saving a lot of calories.
A Mars Bar contains nearly 500 kcals. If you eat a bar of chocolate every day equivalent to the same calorie value as a Mars Bar then you are taking in the equivalent of 1lb of body fat every week, in chocolate alone!
Look at the size of your portions - By having 2 slices of bread instead of 3 or just by reducing the size of your food portions, can help you to reduce your calorie intake.

Summary:

No foods are bad. A little bit of what you fancy does you good, so long as you eat it in moderation. Losing weight just takes a little motivation and common sense. Eating 3 balanced meals a day and exercising regularly, is the key to effective weight loss. Drinking plenty of water is also good for fat utilization.

Exercise is very important. It helps balance your metabolism. The Government recommends that to maintain good health adults need to exercise for at least 30 minutes x 5 days a week. (Children = 1 hour x 7 days a week). Exercise does not have to be boring or a chore. If you can find something that you really enjoy doing, then JUST DO IT , as often as you like - whether it be swimming, walking, running, playing with the kids, skipping, dancing, joining a gym or attending an aerobics class. Have fun and make time for yourself. Your life is just as important as everyone else's and it is so easy to continue making the excuse that you just don't have the time. If you consider how much time you spend watching television or just procrastinating - then think about how you might use the time more effectively to do something good for yourself. Engage a buddy to help motivate and support you.

'Strictly come Dancing' seems to have started a new craze, as dance schools and community centres, offering salsa classes, have really started to take off in the last couple of years. Visit http://www.city-limits.co.uk/ if you require any information about classes. They offer a wide range of classes to suit all ages from beginners to intermediates.

Finally, be kind to yourself. Take it one step at a time, and don't beat yourself up if you have started a healthy eating regimen and have gone off track a little. Just bring yourself back and stay focussed on your fitness goals. Good luck!

Lifesolutions Lifecoaching