Have you ever felt like you’re on top of the world, waking up in a gorgeous sunny weather, with the birds chirping and the people smiling at you?
Me too!
Not so long ago, I would’ve answered “Yes” to that question, because I was actually pretty happy with my body. I enjoyed my job as a personal trainer, and my life in general was going smoothly. I had a great relationship with my girlfriend, we were both very active, and we ate healthy food. I think I was fairly satisfied with my appearance, even if I had a few wrinkles here and there, nothing that a few more hours in the gym wouldn’t fix.
Then came the pandemic. Like many other cities, the whole country switched to a digital lifestyle, and my workouts and food consumption went down dramatically. Before the pandemic, I would’ve been eating at least five small meals a day, maybe more, and spending three hours in the gym several times a week. Now I rarely eat more than three meals a day, and my workouts take place during the day, when the sun is out. I definitely feel less energized by my daily activities now, and it’s not because I’m getting old (although I’m certainly not looking my age).
Now that I’m coming back to the gym and trying to get my old workrate, I’ve noticed a few things about my body. First, I’m not as flexible as I used to be. Second, my stomach doesn’t seem to have the same muscle tone it once had. Third, my thighs and arms are so loose that it’s almost like I haven’t worked out in them in years. And last but not least, I’ve gained a few pounds. Not a lot, maybe a pound or two, but I’ve definitely noticed it. I know what you’re thinking: Is he trying to tell us he’s unhappy with his body?
Nope! I’m not unhappy with my body. I just want to clarify that I’m not as pleased with it as I was before, and it’s taken a lot of willpower to get back to where I feel I belong. You see, I was raised in a Mediterranean climate, so the idea of working out and eating healthy food didn’t exist in my head. Now that I’m trying to live like that again, it’s taking some time for my body to get used to the idea. That’s all.
The Importance Of Cardio
When you want to lose weight, one of the first things you should try is cardiovascular exercise. Cardio is great for the heart, and it helps the body to metabolize fats and carbohydrates, which makes you burn them faster. I don’t need to tell you that a flabby stomach leads to an unhealthy body, so cardio is essential for that.
It’s estimated that only about 10% of people who go to the gym actually work out. And the rest of them just look at the big-name celebs who inspire them, or buy a pricey package of diet pills that don’t provide any real benefits. When it comes to losing weight faster than you can say “Slimmer Hotter”, there’s always a catch, and often it comes with hefty side effects. That’s why it’s so important to do your research before signing up for any program.
Eat What You Want
The best way to lose weight without going under the knife is by changing your habits. You see, most fad diets don’t work because they don’t allow you to eat the foods you crave. When you deprive yourself of certain foods, you’re bound to feel unsatisfied and crave those foods even more. That’s why most people who try these diets don’t lose a lot of weight, if any at all. They also don’t have the energy to work out, so they give up quickly. This is why you need to change your habits when you want to lose weight. It’s not enough to just cut out the bad foods, you have to change the way you think about them too. When you do that, you’re guaranteed to lose weight.
Don’t Be Fooled By Appearances
First of all, let’s be real here: no one is perfect, and we’re especially not talking about the way we look. We’re human, after all, and we make mistakes. Everyone has quirks, some are more noticeable than others. Sometimes we don’t look the part because we don’t feel the part. You’re bound to make mistakes, it’s what makes us human. You’re going to have feelings of inadequacy, and there’s nothing wrong with that. It would be best if we could all just be open about it and work together to improve our shortcomings. No shame here.
People who want to lose weight will often times compare themselves to others, especially people they think are amazing. If you’re one of those people, take a step back, because you’re going to be driven by appearances, and that won’t serve you well. You need to find the healthy weight you deserve, not the one someone else thinks you should have. It’s a slippery slope, leading to more disappointment and frustration. Stay away from social media, and focus on what’s in front of you. If you want to lose weight, focus on the numbers on the scales, not the ways others are depicting your life via social media.
Create A Routine
If you want to lose weight and keep it off, you need to create a routine. It’s amazing how much better you perform when you have a set schedule for everything, even things you consider mundane. For example, when was the last time you cooked a meal or cleaned your house without having to worry about whether you should or shouldn’t? Sometimes we get so absorbed in our daily lives that we forget to take care of ourselves, and that’s a bad idea. Routine makes sure that you do that, remembering to eat well, exercise, and clean your house. It also helps you figure out what works best for you, what pushes you harder, and what brings you joy. Having a routine also helps you create order out of chaos, something that many people find difficult to do.
Take Care Of The Little Things
There’s no perfect exercise or diet plan, it’s all about results. You’re going to have to find what’s best for you, and that means sometimes you’re going to have to experiment, especially if you want to lose a lot of weight. Once you do find what works for you, commit to it, and take care of your body the way it deserves. Keep up with the workouts and the diet, and you’re sure to see improvements. Don’t be afraid to try new things, and don’t be discouraged by the things that don’t work out. Results come with experience, and that’s something to celebrate.
If you want to lose weight while still enjoying life, then you need to find the healthy weight you deserve. That doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, but it does mean you need to try harder than you ever have before. When you do, you’re sure to see improvements, and that’s something to celebrate. It’s never easy to lose weight, and there are a lot of pitfalls along the way, but you need to be driven by your desire to get back to the body you deserve, not the one someone else thinks you should have.