SHARES
Exercise is a key part of any weight-loss plan. You are already keeping your calorie intake low and by doing exercise, you will burn off a lot of what you eat. Over the longer term, building muscle mass will help you lose weight, as muscle tissue burns more calories than fat tissue. However, it is just as important to get aerobic exercise. The more you do, the more you will burn.
A lot of fast diets include exercise plans and if you are doing one of these, then you should try your best to stick to it. However, remember that you are not eating as much as you normally do. so watch out for signs that you may be overdoing it. If you are getting dizzy or light-headed when you exercise, or are in pain, stop what you are doing and talk to your doctor.
[panel style=”panel-info” title=”On your feet” footer=””]One of the simplest things you can do to speed up weight loss is to take a brisk walk immediately after a meal. This speeds up your metabolism for a few hours, helping your body burn off the calories you have just consumed.[/panel]
Keep moving
When you are on a low-calorie diet, it can feel like you do not have the energy to face a gym session. Luckily, there are ways to burn off calories without ever hitting the cross-trainer. The most important thing is to keep moving – sitting still will get you absolutely nowhere! Take the stairs instead of lifts, walk around the room while you talk on the phone, and park a bit further away than you need to and walk the rest. It all adds up!
Keeping Motivated
Sticking to a fast diet can be one of the most challenging things you will ever do, so it is crucial to stay motivated. Before you start, make a list of your reasons for doing the diet and what you hope to get out of it. Hang it somewhere such as the fridge door. If you are running low on willpower and reaching for a snack, seeing the list can help you get past the cravings.
Reward yourself
Plan ahead and think of a way to reward yourself every day. Something like a glossy magazine or a chat with a friend you do not see very often can be a great way to celebrate hitting your calorie and exercise targets.
Don’t do it alone
One of the best ways to keep motivated is to have a friend do the same fast diet; working together is a great way to ensure that you both succeed. If no one wants to take on the challenge, you should still make sure your friends know what you are doing. They can offer support and help distract you when you are feeling low – as well as giving you a big hug when you reach your goals!
[panel style=”panel-info” title=”Fool Yourself” footer=””]A number of studies have shown that people eat less when they use smaller plates or bowls. It sounds crazy but seeing a portion on a large plate, with empty space around it, tricks your brain into thinking that there is less food than there actually is. Try serving your meals on a side plate rather than a dinner plate so you consume smaller amounts of food.[/panel]
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by Chris Ching
With a nick name of Chris Smile because of the warm smile on her face all the time :) Believes that by empowering the public to have more information and knowledge in healthcare, we will have a better healthcare environment and experience. View all articles by Chris Ching.
