Overindulged over Christmas? Already feeling you need to start that New Year’s resolution to lose weight? (Day 5)

Lifestyle Change Number 8 – Exercise

Regular exercise is well-known and proven to support you with your weight-loss goals.

It is a fact that any reduction of food consummation coupled with some form of daily exercise will give greater weight loss results than just cutting down on your food intake alone.  Also, by toning up you body and building up your muscle mass, your body will burn calories more efficiently which supports you to lose weight and maintain your target weight once you have reached it.

Try to take some form of exercise daily, ideally for at least 30 minutes.  If, in the first instance, you find doing 30 minutes of exercise in one go too difficult, don’t give up, you could do 10 minutes of exercise 3 times a day.  The exercise you choose doesn’t have to be complicated or need special equipment – it could be as simple as going for a walk, I assure you there is a type of exercise that suits you.  It is advisable to speak to your GP before commencing any new exercise regime.

I have often been told that getting started and including the exercise in your daily routine can prove harder than the exercise itself.  The exercise you choose has to be an activity that you can adhere to in the long term.  How many people do you know who pay for expensive gym memberships but rarely go to the gym because they don’t have time or maybe the inclination?  Remember this is a lifestyle change you are making and keeping active will be something that you will carry on doing for the rest of your life, not just until you reach your target weight.  This in turn will not only support you to stay at your desired size and shape but also keep your body and heart healthy.

If you find it especially hard to motivate yourself to exercise, take a minute to visualise or imagine how you will feel once you have completed your chosen form of exercise.  How satisfied will you feel with yourself once you know you have completed it?  How much better will you sleep at night knowing that you have used your body and are now giving it a well deserved rest?  How much better will sitting down afterwards feel?  How good will you feel knowing that you are supporting yourself to reach your desired size and shape?  How much will you enjoy noticing, feeling and seeing the changes in your body shape, with your muscles becoming more toned, after regular exercise?