There are many people who would like to lose weight – if you’re one of them then you will know that it’s easier said than done. It’s no wonder that the weight loss industry is such a big money earner, anything that can help people achieve their goal just a little more easily would be gratefully received – and highly valued – by a great number of people.
You can go on any number of different special diets. Some of them will undoubtedly be effective – but it’s hard to keep motivated when you are hungry. Whatever way you look at it, if you are dieting to lose weight, then you need to cut down on the number of calories you consume every day. It’s pretty much irrelevant what type of food you eat – the success of your diet will depend upon a reduced calorific intake.
However, if you wish to lose weight, and ideally to do it as fast as you can, then achieving this by dieting alone may prove to be extremely difficult. The introduction of regular, light physical exercise can be a great help if you want to lose more weight, and to do this much more quickly than by relying on dieting alone to shed those pounds.
A lot of people will be put off at the the very thought of exercise, but the thing to note is that it need not require visiting the gym three, four, or maybe even five times weekly. In fact, it doesn’t need to be a high intensity workout at all – although you can do this if you like. Something as easy and simple to do as walking can produce very significant results – and there are a huge number of other health benefits in addition to weight loss.
The important thing is to do a little bit more than you would generally do – and to do this regularly and consistently. Regular physical activity will raise your metabolic rate – the speed at which your body burns calories. It’s this increase that causes you to burn extra calories all through the day – not only when you’re exercising. If you’re sitting reading a book, listening to the radio, watching TV, doing the housework – then you will use up extra calories. Even when you’re tucked up in bed, fast asleep, you will burn extra calories. That’s what helps you to lose weight fast.
Walking is a low impact, low injury risk, low intensity exercise technique. You know how to do it already and you won’t need any expensive special equipment. You can fit it into your day whenever it suits you best. Finding the time for a trip to the gym isn’t necessary – just get off the subway or bus a couple of stops earlier than usual, leave your car in the garage – or park it in a far away corner of the parking lot so that you have further to walk to the entrance, climb the stairs instead of using the elevator, go for a walk during your lunch break – walking opportunities abound.
Listen to your favorite tunes on an mp3 while you’re walking and the miles and the time will simply fly by. Use a pedometer which can display your progress in terms of steps taken, calories burned or distance covered. It could help you to keep motivated.
You can even buy special “toning” shoes these days that will provide you with a lower body workout while you walk. Shoes like Skechers Shape Ups, Reebok Easy Tones, Masai Barefoot Technology Shoes and Fit Flops sandals all use a specially engineered sole which encourages your leg and butt muscles to do a little additional work when you are walking.
You’ll be surprised and delighted when you see how much faster you lose weight using this approach. You may even find that there’s no need to starve yourself or spend money on fad diets after all.
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