Why does it seem like its easier for some people to stick with an exercise or nutrition program? Why is it that some people can find the time to workout and make the most of it? Why do some people struggle with all of this?
I know many of you who do struggle with this will quickly come up with defensive answers like “I’m too old” or “I don’t have enough time.” “I’m just meant to be this weight.” “I can’t control myself.” “Its genetic.” “I hate exercise.” “Diets are too restrictive.” “It will take too long.” “Its too hard!” Trust me, I’ve heard them all and may have used one or two myself. Nobody is perfect. If I don’t watch what I eat and how much I exercise I can easily put on 15 lbs. I know, I’ve been there.
But getting in shape or back in shape doesn’t have to be hard at all. Its really quite an easy formula. If you need to lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you eat. Its that simple and easy. No weird science behind it. The deficit in calories can be from adding exercise into your day or reducing calories, or a combo of both.
Its really scary because the US government estimates that over 2/3 of the adult US population is overweight or obese. That means a lot of people out there either find it way too hard to do the right thing, or they’ve just totally given up hope. What would make someone give up hope to jeopardize their health that way? Don’t you think you’re worth more than settling for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, joint problems? If you are one of the majority of people who believes that there is a God or Creator, do you really think this is what he had in mind when He created you? I don’t think so. I think you definitely deserve better than to settle on the new “average” in the US.
So let’s quickly take a look on how easy it can be to lose 1 pound per week. If you lost 1 pound per week, that would be 52 lbs in one year! That’s amazing!! And its easy to do. You just need to train your brain to 1) appreciate you and love yourself enough to take better care of yourself, 2) be positive about this, don’t worry if you mess up, its not a race 3) realize that even the smallest changes you make will result in huge long term health gains.
By cutting your calories by approximately 500 calories per day you can lose 1lb per week. The cool part is, if you exercise, you don’t have to cut 500, it can be less than 500 (or even 0) depending on how much exercise you do!
But let’s just tackle eating for now. Here are some ideas on how to cut out those 500 calories. I don’t want you to cut the good stuff out like veggies, or high quality lean protein, we’re talking the stuff your body really doesn’t need:
3 homemade choc. chip cookies = 500 cals (approx)
2 beers, + 2 oz of chips = 500 cals (approx)
1-1/2 cups of ice cream = 500 cals (approx)
2 12 oz glasses of soda, + 1 cup of pretzles + 500 cals (approx)
1 tall mocha Frappucino + 1 plain bagel 500 cals (approx)
Now I don’t want you skipping meals to cut out those calories. Skipping breakfast and lunch is probably the worst thing you can do because you’ll be famished before dinner and on a rampage in the kitchen. The above is just some of the extras we may include in our day that could be cut out if you really wanted to cut some pounds.
Hard or easy? Its really depends on how you look at it and how badly you want to improve your health before a doctor orders you too.
I would love to help you with healthy meal ideas and custom meal plans. Having a meal plan will make losing weight and your life so much easier. I love using my meal planner,it helps save me time and guessing what to make. Click here if you’d like to take a 30-day trial of the meal plan I have to offer. If you don’t like it within the 30-days you get a full refund.
Please feel free to leave a comment here or email me at fitwithjessica@live.com
