Stop working out to lose weight!
With the New Year in full swing, many look to rebound from the holidays by getting back to gym and eating health. I hear people throw around the phrases “weight loss,” “muscle building,” and “get back in shape” when it comes to New Year’s resolutions. I apologize, but STOP WORKING OUT TO LOSE WEIGHT! You heard me right. Stop working out to lose weight and start working out to be healthy.
Losing weight is challenging, and it takes time to truly see the desired results. It can be discouraging when the numbers on the scale do not come off as fast as we want. According to U.S. News, approximately 80% of New Year’s resolutions are broken by February. This figure can be daunting, but I am here to lend you the tools for success when it comes to crushing your New Year’s Resolution:
1.) Create an identity, not a goal. Goals are things such as weight loss, looking good for an upcoming wedding, developing more muscle, etc. While all of these are great goals to have, they may not be able to fuel your long term drive. Instead of writing down your goals, write down what kind of person you want to be in 2019. If I were to say, “I want to be a healthier person in 2019,” I would have a greater chance of success because I have opened my vision up to a much more holistic approach rather than being tunnel visioned.
2.) Create a plan and execute. This is probably both the simplest yet most difficult part of succeeding in your New Year’s resolutions. I recommend, hiring a personal trainer that will properly progress you and keep you accountable to your health goals. A scheduled appointment will make sure you stay on track. If you do not want to get a trainer, get on a solid strength training program. One of the biggest mistakes people seeking weight loss make is reverting to only cardio to burn fat. By adding a solid strength training program to your regimen, you can actually boost your metabolism when you add muscle. For maximum results a combination of cardio and strength training will not only help you achieve your fitness goals but also lead to your body becoming a well oiled fighting machine.
3.) Rest and replenish. This means make it a priority get your sleep and drink water. It is recommended that you get at least six hours of high quality sleep each night to ensure that get four full sleep cycles. In that time, your body will recover, rebuild and repair. You will also see a boost in mental clarity and regulated body function. Water is the driving force to many of our bodies’ physiological functions. It is recommended that one should drink a half to an ounce per pounds of body weight. This means that if I weight 160 lbs (73 kg), I need to drink between 80 to 160 ounces of water per day. Drink your water!
Getting back on the fitness horse can be intimidating, so if you need assistance on your fitness journey, contact one of your JCC Personal Trainers. Good luck!
Chris Kading, Personal Trainer
