It may happen without you even knowing it, but studies show that people move less after they begin an exercise regimen. When women and men, average age 59, started to work out twice a week, their every day activity decreased by 22%, according to research. The reason for the slowdown, may be post-workout fatigue or the perception that if you exercise you can afford to skimp on the small stuff. Wrong indeed!!!! Little activities such as standing instead of sitting, fidgeting, and walking more throughout the day can add up to an extra 350 calories burned per day. Other research shows that a decrease in these everyday actions may shut down an enzyme that controls fat metabolism, making weight loss tougher. And even daily half-hour to hour-long workouts aren’t even enough to turn it back on.
Simple Strategies are to track non-exercise activity. Record your daily step counts with a pedometer on a couple of days when you don’t work out. Then calculate your average (add up your daily totals and divide by the number of days tracked). If you don’t maintain at least this level of activity every day, your fat burning ability will decline. For example, if you normally log 5,000 steps a day but skip half of them on days you work out, it can slow weigh loss by 50%, even though your exercising. Also post reminders to yourself to help you keep motivated. Stick them wherever you feel they will be the most seen. Simply say on them, MOVE MORE!!!! Set up weekly physical outings. You will be less likely to blow it off if yu make a commitment to someone else. Plan a hike or bike ride with your family, help a neighbor clean out his garage, or volunteer to walk your neighbor’s dog.
Well we have one more step to go… I find that as I write them it really starts to make sense. I actually went out and got a pedometer today at Walmart. I didn’t get the cheapest which was about 5 bucks, but the one that was in the middle about 10 bucks. So I will let you know how I like it. Anything is fine to start, so you have an idea how much your walking throughout the day. You can make a game of it, and it will make you work harder.
Happy Monday….
A Fabulous Woman
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I like the “making a game out of it” concept – people are inherently competitive, and it helps to have a personal record that you can strive to break the next time out. It also forces you to be honest by tracking your activity – whether it is walking, resistance training, swimming, whatever.