Achievable Exercise Tips For Weight Loss

Everyone knows that in order to lose weight, we need to eat sensibly and exercise regularly. It's so easy to say, but why does it seem so hard to do? I put it to you that exercising effectively is all about attitude. If you could just understand how simple it is to incorporate exercise into your daily routine, you could make a decision now to just do it. That decision would lead to weight loss, and weight loss would change your life.

I know the latest exercise equipment as featured on television ads can be very enticing, but don't feel like you have to buy any large, expensive item in order to start your new exercise regime. Perhaps you have one such machine in a wardrobe somewhere; if so, drag it out and crank it up. Try to place it somewhere obvious and leave it set up, then you'll be more inclined to use it every day. If not, all you really need to put your hands on is a large exercise ball, which will suffice. There are very few muscles you will miss working using the ball, and it's relatively inexpensive.

One mistake many make is to suppose that exercising will take big chunks of our time. Just take it one step at a time. It's easy to find exercise DVDs which consist of 20 minute routines, and if you do this at least 3 times a week, you will be on your way to a better physique. Usually, exercise is best completed first thing in the morning before the demands of your day take hold. It's a good idea to get it over with and then you can relax for the rest of the day, without thinking of when you will fit it in. A lady I know does a 20 minute aerobics workout last thing before bed every evening; this works perfectly well for her and she can't believe how well she sleeps as a result! The worst thing you can do is miss a couple of sessions as this is when despondancy sets in and you'll be less likely to pick up and resume your exercise habit. Anyway, the time you exercise is an individual thing and you need to choose the time you know you have free every day, then be disciplined about developing the exercise habit.

A key to sticking with your exercise plan is to make it something you enjoy. Sounds obvious, doesn't it, but you'd be amazed how many people try to get interested in the wrong sport for them, and then quit because it didn't interest them enough in the long term. I advise you to brainstorm ten activities you really like doing. Now if one of those activities is playing football, good on you, but if the list reads more like a passive hobbies list, do some more thinking. How can you make dining out with friends more physical and overall a more healthy experience? Answer, you can schedule a meal somewhere appealing with lots of variety on the menu, near to a beach, river or nature walk, then go for a walk pre-meal to work up that appetite. A lovely experience is to go cycling with the kids, end up at a cafe somewhere, all the while making irreplacable memories, and burning calories as a bonus! Or be like my wife and I and make an after dinner walk on the beach (or wherever's accessible to you) a habit in the summertime for the whole family. Don't leave the kids at home! Model healthy living to them and they'll thank you for it one day. At the very least they'll have beautiful, fun memories of regular conversation in the fresh air with no distractions and no television!

Informally, you can make sure you're getting enough exercise. Examine your everyday routine. Do you always use television remote controls? Hide them! Do you look for the closest parking spot to the door of the shopping centre? Park as far away as you can and enjoy the walk. The walk back to the car with heavy shopping bags will serve as a substitute for lifting weights at your local fitness centre! (Cheaper, too!) Make a decision now to take the stairs, not the lift. If you are a bus traveller, consider alighting one stop later than usual and walk back. If you stare at a computer screen for most of your working day, set your phone alarm and at two assigned times every day take a brisk walk around the block. Watch your productivity and feeling of well being improve!

You can use competition to advantage, even if you're only competing with yourself. The key here is a little bit of organisation. Display a time chart somewhere you look often, such as your fridge door, and record every day the time it takes you to complete your walk. You'll be amazed to notice how much quicker you become with practice. This in turn will motivate you to continue. Make sure there's a column also to record your pulse when you walk in the door at the conclusion of your walk as this will show you your improved fitness levels, which will also delight and motivate you. In no time at all you'll be looking to increase the distance you walk within the same time period as you started.

Exercise somewhere inspiring. The great thing about brisk walking is that you can choose your destination. Get in your car and go to a place you love. If you're very lucky you will live near a lake, beach, river, forest or scenic area. Perhaps your favourite place is a shopping centre. I know a lady who combines retail therapy with her need for company and exercise and so walks the length of her local shopping centre five times every morning! It's whatever works for you!

The enthusiastic sometimes overdo their initial attempts at exercising and the next day feel so sore (or exhausted) that they lose all motivation. Be careful of this. Start small and ease yourself into more challenging activities. For example, don't go jogging if you haven't trained as a walker. Much of the time I see elderly joggers who are driving themself to a dangerous level when they'd gain much more benefit from walking briskly or swimming. It's dangerous to be overly zealous at times. Stay sensible and respect your body. Work up to the next level very gradually and if at all possible, try to have an exercise buddy who can keep an eye on your wellbeing.

One of the best forms of exercise which suits most people is swimming. It's suitable for all ages, is low impact and works most muscle groups. In hot weather it's refreshing, and if you're lucky enough to live near a heated pool it can be enjoyed all year round. Swimming especially suits those who don't want to let anyone else down as it can be an individual activity and it doesn't matter if you're not very sporty. Swimming benefits everyone, even those who don't swim particularly well.

If you need more motivation and accountability, choose your favourite sport and join a local sporting competition. Team sports may be the answer for you. It is amazing how we feel we can't let others down and so turn up to play even when we don't feel like it.

If you want to see quick results in your physique, I would definitely have a whey protein based shake on hand and take this between 20 and 30 minutes after your exercise session. You'd be amazed at the difference this will make. During exercise you muscles basically tear and protein helps them to start rebuilding immediately. This leads to greater muscle tone and fat burning. Whey protein and L Carnitine is a winning combination if you really need to lose some weight. Why do all the hard work and not give yourself every advantage?

Now is the day to make a resolve. Resolve to make some changes in your lifestyle which will result in regular, enjoyable exercise. If it's enjoyable you'll adopt it as a natural part of your lifestyle. If it's regular it will become a healthy habit. I dare you to start brainstorming ways you can get more active within the confines and time limits of your present lifestyle. Weight loss and improved well being will necessarily follow.

By: Colin Johnson

Colin Johnson has been a recognised fitness advisor and elite sports coach in a variety of fields. He highly recommends whey protein shakes for muscle review and development and L Carnitine for weight loss and increased stamina.
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