Let’s say that it’s Sunday morning, and you woke up bright and refreshed. You walked and ran last week, and wanted to see if you lost any weight. You went to the scale to be weighed. After seeing the resulting number, you screamed in shock. You either gained or had the same number you had before you started exercising. You wonder, “Why am I not losing weight?”
Food is an important component whether it’s to lose weight or to maintain a good body. It is critical that you don’t eat junk food, sweets, sugar, or foods that have high sugar, unless it is your once a week cheat day. Instead of those unhealthy foods, you should eat small and healthy meals throughout the day.
These foods include whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and a healthy protein such as poultry (chicken and turkey), red meat (beef and lamb), fish (salmon and tuna), dairy (milk and yogurt), legumes (beans and lentils), and/or eggs. In addition, healthy fats such as nuts, seeds, avocado, olives, and oils (such as olive oil) are good to eat as well to keep your body moving. By eating these foods, they are able to transfer great benefits to your body, which results in it functioning better for you and life even after your 60’s!
To keep track of your eating habits, it is highly recommended that you write down an eating schedule so that you are able to keep track of how many calories you are eating per day.
Also, it is important to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Not only will it help to your body, it will also control your stomach and not fool you and your mind into eating more than you should. Keep in mind that you are only eating to satisfy your hunger.
Exercise is the final half to losing weight. According to successful dieters in the National Weight Control Registry, studies have found that 60 minutes per day of typical walking benefits to losing weight.
If you are unable to do so, then three ten minute routines of exercises is better than no exercise for the day. In other words, it’s important to constantly remain active each and every day. That would mean to cut back on watching TV, unless it’s an exercise program, to adapt and commit more to your active lifestyle.
While you are exercising, it’s important to think of what’s motivating you to lose weight. Is it because you want to get faster? Do you want a longer endurance rate? Thinking of what you want out of your workout is a great reminder for why you are committed to your daily workout routine. But remember to instill positive reinforcements while you are exercising. For example, you don’t want to cut a lot of calories from your diet to lose weight. It is unhealthy, and will shut down your body and mind.
If you are doing your daily exercises and eating right, but are not seeing any results after a month or so, then it is best to talk to your doctor. Everyone is made differently than the other, therefore our needs are different.
It is important to remember to not get overly concerned if you lost weight or not. The most critical thing to worry about is if you are eating a balanced diet and exercising to maintain your body, especially your heart. Never forfeit your food to lose weight, as you are only going to damage your body. Like everything else in life, you need to balance out your diet and exercise or movement.
Be patient as results do not come quickly. Over time, you will have positive results to your body, weight, and health that will benefit you as you grow older if you maintain this balance throughout your life.
