 |
|
 |
| Health & Wellbeing |
|
|
|
Health and Fitness Tips: Keys to maintaining a healthy body weight
by Tracy Willis
Club Manager Dusit Resort Sports & Fitness Club
In the last of this series of Fitness articles, let’s create a collection of
useful tips for maintaining a healthy body weight...for life!
1. Don’t rely on magic. No matter how much we would like it to be true,
there is no “magic” way to achieve a healthy body weight. Many pills,
potions and lotions may lead to significant weight loss for a short period.
But for the majority of people, theses approaches will lead to weight
regain.
Successful long term weight loss does not happen in six or seven days. Its
what you do from now on that will determine your ability to stay at a
healthy weight.
2. Forget the “one size fits all” mentality. As a society, we have created
the idea that we all need to be at a weight that makes us look like the
models we endlessly see before us in advertising, sports & entertainment.
The message is: the thinner the better.
The truth is, we are all very different. Our body weight is influenced by
factors we cannot control - genetics, for example. Another example is the
number of fat cells in your body. A strong influence on body weight, some
people naturally have more fat cells than others.
Also involved is metabolism - some people have a higher resting metabolic
rate than others, so they in effect burn more calories every day.
What this adds up to is that your progress in a sensible weight management
programme will be unique, and that your healthy body weight may be just a
little higher than you imagine it to be.
3. Develop a positive self image. How many times have you heard the phrase,
“accept yourself for what you are”? This is often easier said than done.
Effective weight management is just the natural extension of your desire to
be as good to yourself as possible because you care about yourself and want
to take responsibility for your health. Be good to you and take care of you.
4. Learn to play again. The key to burning fat is burning calories. And the
only way to significantly increase your body’s calorie expenditure is to
increase your level of activity.
Most of us, however, have forgotten that activity is fun. Activity is not
work or punishment.
Exercise has many benefits and all are great reasons to rediscover the joys
of playing.
5. Get stronger. research has shown that resistance training - whether it is
with weights, bands or even in water - does more than help with weight
control. Its also an excellent way to help maintain good posture and reduce
the risk of diseases such as osteoporosis. Its important to practice good
technique, so get some help if you’re just starting out.
6. Be patient and persistent. This doesn’t mean waiting for something to
happen that will get you a healthy body weight. It means planning and
choosing attitudes that demonstrate self-acceptance and self-care. Maybe
keep a simple journal of activities and general eating patterns and try not
to be in a rush. New habits may take around 6 months to become part of your
life style.
Take it in small steps!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
