Weight loss = Calorie intake – Calories used
For maximum weight loss we need to decrease the calorie intake (food) and increase the calories used (activity).
Exercise is an essential part of weight loss. Regular exercise will burn calories to help you lose the pounds, improve your general health and also enhance your emotional well being. So here are some top tips to increase your activity levels:
1. Just Do It!
This may sound obvious but most of us wait for the perfect moment to begin our exercise routine, we envisage that this will be the beginning of the new us…..the healthier, slimmer, more organised perfect version of us will be born tomorrow.
Exercise is too important and has too many benefits to wait until tomorrow. So decide what you want to do, where you want to do it, when you want to do it and then JUST DO IT!
2. Start With Just 5 Minutes.
As little as 5 minutes of exercise can have great health benefits. Even if you are feeling tired do 5 minutes, the chances are once you start you will want to carry on for longer.
3. Make time for increased activity.
Most of us lead such busy lifestyles that there really does not appear to be any time left after the hectic day at work, the house work and the tending to the kids, not to forget the husband or partner! Why not use exercise to get away from the daily chores to give yourself a well earned break. You deserve it!
Decreasing Calorie Intake
1. Don’t skip meals
Skipping meals makes you feel more hungry, making you feel ravenous. You are then much more likely to consume higher calories. Going for long periods of time without food also lowers your sugar level making you more likely to snack on unhealthy foods.
It is also believed that you may be more likely to store fat by skipping meals.
2. Eating whilst watching TV
Watching TV and eating has been shown to increase the amount of food consumed. Be aware of what you have on your plate whilst enjoying your favourite TV show.
3. Know what you eat
Read the label on food items and choose sensibly. Try and mix high calorie item with larger amounts of low calorie vegetables etc to retain flavour in your favourite meal.
4. Drink 2L of water daily
A glass of water with your meal will help you to feel fuller with a smaller meal. As water is essential to our body, why not use this useful technique to help us feel fuller .