Shifting the Emphasis of Weight Loss From How We Look to How We Feel

Many are continually dieting to try to combat their weight loss problems but the simple matter of daily exercise to aid in weight loss is commonly overlooked. The reason is really very simple: As we become overweight, we become more lethargic. It is more difficult to move around as our weight increases, and this fact spirals us into a vicious circle which includes inactivity, depression, and more eating.

If we shift the emphasis of weight loss from how we look to how we feel, most of us will find that it is much easier to maintain a healthier lifestyle while incorporating daily physical activities that we enjoy, even if we have to start off with baby steps. Most who have really hit the depths of lethargy will say, "I really enjoy watching tv", and that's about it. Try a bit harder. Go for a walk every day. Only 20 minutes or so. If you don't like the area you live in for walking, jump in the car and drive to somewhere that you know you will enjoy. Walk on the beach (which is actually a really good workout in itself), walk a golf course, walk as the sun rises, walk with your dog, walk with a friend. Whatever it takes to make you enjoy the task - do it!

As we do succumb to less activity as we grow older, try to remember which physical activities you enjoyed as a child or teenager. Give them a try once again and hopefully you will find the joy that you once had in activity, back when you did it for fun, rather than feeling like it was work. Hopefully, your daily walk will advance to running or skating, as these activities are more aerobic and will help increase the strength of your heart while building your physical endurance. If you find that your knees or ankles ache when you walk, you may want to switch to bike riding. Bike riding takes the impact pressure off the joints while still exercising the muscles.

Rather skate, or bike ride, or run? Even better! Always be aware that the goal is not to lose a specific amount of weight, or to look like a supermodel, but to feel better and to have more energy. Of course, we feel better as we look better, so again we will develop a circle, just not a vicious one.

Watching our diet, of course, contributes to weight loss and overall health but will be more easily achieved if not looked at as a boot camp cycle where we must hate every minute of trying to become healthier. So do a little research into which foods are important to good health and incorporate them into your daily diet. Many will find that by adding new food items, and only cutting back, rather than eliminating, others the goal of weight loss will come naturally. We only have one life, and should enjoy the ride, even when it's on the path to being healthier.