Fitness has to be a way of life – Too many times we start something because we want quick and easy results, but yikes – this is where the yo yo plans come to play. I know because I have done them and stood by them for years!
There isn’t a one size fits all workout program and there isn’t a get fit quick plan out there. Yes, there are plans you can do and see results instantly, but the question is can you maintain those results.
What is the answer? Well, the answer is this: You have to find a workout program or plan that can be come a part of your life – become a part of who you are. Here’s what our body needs: real food, movement, and water. Most things can fit in these categories. Our body needs more real food than processed food – maybe start small add in one fruit and one vegetable each day. Maybe it’s adding a protein – meat source to one meal a day. Next our bodies need movement – I am a huge advocate for weight lifting – the older we get the more out bodies need muscle because the less our bodies produce and instead breaks down. I know everyone is obsessed with HIIT cardio workouts because you sweat and we all think this type of exercise is the best, but the truth is these types of exercises are hard to maintain and continue doing over time. Intense cardio is great and has it’s benefits for sure, but if it’s your main source of working out – over time your body will expect it and it will lose it’s effect. As we get older we need workouts that we can actually feel good about. Fast paced cardio burns a lot of calories while you are working out, but then stops once you stop.
Strength based exercises burn calories throughout the day – The important thing to remember is that unless you are strategically trying to look like a body builder you won’t it takes precise foods to achieve this aesthetic. For years I was scared to lift weights because I didn’t want to get bulky – eeek …. Thankfully, over time I have educated myself enough to know this isn’t how it works.
I hear it all the time and have said this for years (I just want to tone) Well, as nice as this sounds you can’t tone muscle that isn’t there – So what you want to actually do is put on a little muscle to give you that strong yet lean look that we all strive to have. The only way to achieve this is by increasing your protein intake and lifting weights.
As we age our bodies lose muscle at an alarming rate and that’s why a lot of times we see older folks that look a little frail. This because the aging process attacks our bone density and muscle mass. In order to slow or stop this process we have to continue to up our protein intake and lift heavier weights. Doing these things helps us age in a more graceful way.
Muscle weighs more than fat this means that the scale might not change, but you will notice a huge change in what your body looks like. If you take two people that weigh the same, but one has muscle mass and one has less muscle they will look very different.
Do not be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.