Dizzy Dee

Almost everyone I know has been, or are, at that place in their lives where they try to lose weight. Its winter, and we all know how easily the extra kilo’s gather with all the cozy snacks.
Its so much nicer to cuddle under the duvet, watching a DVD, with a cup of hot chocolate and some popcorn, instead or having a glass of water and celery sticks. Most people use the excuse that they use more energy to warm their bodies during winter.

This is a very convenient argument, and we’ve probably all said it to ourselves when we wanted to buy our favorite chocolate bar, or potato crisps, or pizza… and the list goes on. The problem is this: if your input is more than your output you will gain weight.
If you don’t exercise at all you’re burning very little calories. In turn you’re probably eating more than you’re burning.

A friend of mine recently told me that she started a new diet, and after three days she hadn’t lost any weight, so she quit. LOL. I just laughed at her, and told her that these things take time. The weight she wants to lose didn’t gather around her hips in just three days. She’s been building on that for nearly a year.

Little exercise is definitely better than none at all. You’re burning more calories than you would’ve done if you didn’t exercise.
Exercise doesn’t ONLY burn calories, it strengthens & tones your muscles, and one of the most important muscles being your heart. Cardio exercise does wonders, but I hate it. I hate the burning in my chest & the sweat and all that. I don’t mind stretching, and weight training so much, but cardio is a real drag for me.

I found a BMR Calculation which is quite helpful it tells you how many calories you burn just by being alive - doing no exercise.
Keeping in mind that exercise is essential to keep you healthy, thus saying that you shouldn’t just cut out calories and expect to feel better.
Eating exactly the same as you’re doing at the moment (given that you’re not gaining weight) and just doing (more) excercise should cause you to lose weight.

This doesn’t always work though. A lot of people struggle because their metabolisms are slow, or due to other medical reasons.
Speeding up your metabolism is a whole different story. Some people start their day with drinking warm water & lemon juice, others swear by a fiber rich diet. I think for each person the recipe is different. You have to find what works for you. You’re not likely to follow a eating program consisting of foods you don’t like. You have to find foods which you like, but are healthy at the same time. Same with exercise. Find a sport or exercise which appeals to you. You’re most likely to continue that in the long run. For myself I have running, but I love a cross trainer. For this very reason I will not join a gym. I find it more convenient to exercise at home, and given that I have a cross trainer, I know I will stick with my exercise program.

Its very important to make both your eating plan, and your exercise program a habit. This will ensure that your weight is steady. Its OK to have a chocolate bar every now and again. And its OK to eat out one a month or so. What is important is that it doesn’t become a habit.