Dieting naturally lowers your metabolism in two ways. When you restrict calories, your body responds in order to conserve energy. This causes a drop in metabolism, or the number of calories you burn just to exist. The effects are temporary however, because successful dieting means weight loss and a permanently lower metabolism because you need less energy to support less weight.
Your metabolism will lower by the same percent as the weight you’ve lost. Some find that their metabolism ends up lower than it should be, which can lead to weight regain. The reason is due to muscle loss. Therefore, you of course, want to keep your lean muscle mass, which brings weight lifting into the picture.
You need not turn into a power lifter - just use your muscles, challenge them a bit and keep them strong. This will aid in keeping your metabolism in sync with your weight loss.
Secondly, but equally as important, skip fad diets. They tend to make you drop weight too fast, thereby causing far too much loss in calorie-burning muscle mass instead of fat. This is a dangerous and possibly deadly trap to fall into, for each time you follow a diet that causes rapid weight loss, you are putting your muscles into jeopardy and sinking your metabolism lower. Each time you put your body through this, you have less muscle to burn fat with and more weight to lose. When you regain weight, you replace the lost muscle with fat. This is a much misunderstood and by many, unknown fact of dieting that could save many years of unwanted diet frustration.
On any diet, never try to lose more than two pounds a week.
See also: Lift Weight to Lose Weight
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July 7th, 2008
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Being too hot stresses your body out so you don’t perform as well. Consequently, you won’t burn as much fat.
Stay cool while working out.
(And don’t forget to stay hydrated when it’s hot!)
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June 22nd, 2008
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34.1 percent of men aged 45 to 54 have high blood pressure.
45 to 54 year olds buy 35 percent of sports cars.
50 percent of men and women are about half gray by age 55.
People age 50 plus buy close to half of all luxury cars.
Persons over 40 have a one in five chance of developing heart failure.
49 percent of baby boomers plan to work after they retire, mainly for enjoyment.
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June 6th, 2008
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A small British study found that fast-paced music inspired volunteers to run faster on a ten-minute treadmill test than did slower types.
So…having trouble getting out the door? Choose a personal theme song that really fires you up and play it when you’re getting dressed for your workout.
If you use a treadmill, plug into that iPod with some of your favorite upbeat music. But if you jog or walk outdoors, do be careful with your iPods, as you wouldn’t want to be unable to hear a siren or some other warning sounds of importance.
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May 18th, 2008
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Track Your Progress: For every day you exercise, write a big red X on your calendar. Seeing all the red marks will kep you going.
Keeping a record of accomplishments can be very motivating, especially at times when weight loss or improvements in fitness happens slowly. Keep a diary of your running or walking workouts either the old-fashioned way or online.
We offer free charts for download if interested… just visit our Fitness Tools!
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May 2nd, 2008
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Apple cider vinegar is a muscle reliever; it helps to draw lactic acid (the stuff that causes soreness) out of your muscles after exercise. Saturate a cloth with apple cider vinegar and wrap it around the muscle for 20 minutes; the pain should disappear within a few hours. Reapply every three to four hours for continued relief until the pain is gone for good. Apple cider vinegar can also aid in weight loss. See: Cider Vinegar by Vitabase.
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April 9th, 2008
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Dieting naturally lowers your metabolism in two ways.
- When you restrict calories, your body responds in order to conserve energy. This causes a drop in metabolism, or the number of calories you burn just to exist. The effects are temporary however, because successful dieting means weight loss and a permanently lower metabolism because you need less energy to support less weight. Your metabolism will lower by the same percent as the weight you’ve lost. Some find that their metabolism ends up lower than it should be, which can lead to weight regain. The reason is due to muscle loss. Therefore, you of course, want to keep your lean muscle mass, which brings weight lifting into the picture. You need not turn into a power lifter - just use your muscles, challenge them a bit and keep them strong. This will aid in keeping your metabolism in sync with your weight loss.
- Secondly, but equally as important, skip fad diets. They tend to make you drop weight too fast, thereby causing far too much loss in calorie-burning muscle mass instead of fat. This is a dangerous and possibly deadly trap to fall into, for each time you follow a diet that causes rapid weight loss, you are putting your muscles into jeopardy and sinking your metabolism lower. Each time you put your body through this, you have less muscle to burn fat with and more weight to lose. When you regain weight, you replace the lost muscle with fat. This is a much misunderstood and by many, unknown fact of dieting that could save many years of unwanted diet frustration. On any diet, never try to lose more than two pounds a week. See also: Lift Weight to Lose Weight
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April 7th, 2008
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Buy your favorite jeans in the size you want to be, then hang them up where you will see them every day; try them on at the end of every week to guage your progress.
Or, take pictures of yourself each week to see how your body keeps changing for the better.
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March 9th, 2008
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Make friends at the gym or in your neighborhood who are also interesting in getting some exercise. Your exercise partners will give you a hard time when you miss a few days, which helps keep you accountable. Other buddies who can help you get moving: That hyperactive dog who needs to be run every day or the friend or co-worker who asked you to help her slim down for the summer season.
Knowing someone else is relying on you is a real motivator.
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March 2nd, 2008
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Nearly half of all deaths in the U.S. are linked to tobacco use, improper diet, alcohol and other substance abuse, guns, car accidents, risky sexual behavior, and lack of physical activity.
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February 24th, 2008
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