SPRINGTIME: TIME TO LOSE

During the winter season it seems as though we tend to gain an extra few pounds we’d like to lose. Many of us tend to gain this extra weight around the holidays. It’s not difficult to figure out that if you ate sweets, high fat holiday dishes, or had a few drinks during special events – that’s probably why you gained a few pounds. Also, many of us become less active outdoors, yet remain sedentary indoors during the cold season.

The good news is, if you know that’s why you gained weight – then you know how you can get it off! Obviously, once you start following your Diet Center program again – avoid those high calorie treats, and participate in outdoor activities (ex. walking, bicycling, swimming, gardening, etc) you can start losing the weight. Add some physical activity to the mix and you can boost the process along. So there’s no need to worry about a little winter weight gain. The first day of Spring is almost here. You can make it the season to lose the winter weight you may have gained.

Simple Steps for Maximum Results!

In general, increasing your physical activity will help you burn calories and keep your metabolism up. However, if you want to maximize your efforts so that you’re burning fat and calories as much as possible, you can take a few simple steps. First, incorporate cardiovascular exercise into your routine at least 3 times a week. Try to make your sessions last at least 30 minutes, because it can take up to 20 minutes before your body starts burning fat (versus carbohydrate) for energy. If you can’t fit in a 30-minute session, the next best goal would be to aim for at least three 10-minute sessions.

Another step you can take is to incorporate weight-bearing exercises (i.e. hand weights, squats, lunges, etc.). Maintaining and building muscle will help you burn more calories, even at rest. A good goal would be to include two 30-minute, weight-bearing exercise sessions twice a week.

Other simple steps to take include standing instead of sitting, whenever possible. Also, getting ample sleep is important to maintaining your energy levels for daily activity. Finally, look for support to help you stay motivated and on track with your goals.

Try applying these steps to your exercise efforts. It can maximize your fat and calorie burning potential, so you can see improved weight loss results!