Beat that Bulge

Packing several mini workouts in one day can be as effective as one big workout session. Keep an eye on the intensity though. Doing the stairs or running for 10 minutes is effective. Stationary bicycling, skipping, spot jogging, aerobics, even a yoga session in the morning can be of immense help.

The battle against the unrelenting bulge is a near constant struggle for many of us. Now that both the electronic and print media have spent decades on creating the ideal human physique, we look for ways to be somewhere close to that.

The only catch is, the ideal of the perfect body that many of us have is far removed from the lifestyles we lead. Let’s face it, hours of sitting behind a computer or a desk with a hurriedly whipped up snack (dripping with oil and rich sauces) for lunch is not the best way to stay in shape.

The more developed the country gets, the more crisis our waistlines go through. A typical professional today will complain of not having enough time to run around a block. But it is a valid excuse, especially when the need for fitness has to be juggled with compulsions of work and family.

That said, we would all agree upon the need for a fitness plan for busy people. We all know two hours of working out would get us the desired results in less than one year. But half an hour is all that we have, at the most. So what are the alternatives? Are we doomed to a life of plus size stores or is there hope?

According to weight-loss-for-busy-people.com, there is. All we have to do is make conscious choices of what we eat and how we can squeeze in some physical activity in our desk-bound lives.

The Role of Diet
This very useful resource for the busy bees among us stresses upon the role of diet in weight loss. The simple rule is, you decide to be slimmer and make appropriate food choices. Junk food, for instance, will make you fat, and, if you still eat it, you have just decided to be fat. Opt for healthier alternatives.

Be Committed
If you are firm in your resolve to lose weight, there is no better time to start that now. Tomorrow never really comes. So make a start.

Have Several Mini Meals a Day
Many people make the mistake of thinking eating less will help them lose weight. Nothing could be further from the truth. Over the ups and downs of evolution, the human race had to face scarcity of food. This led to the body developing the “Starvation response”. When it does not get food, the body thinks there’s none to be had and starts conserving energy. It also starts burning muscle for fuel, making it difficult to lose weight. Therefore, eat something healthy every three to four hours.

Have Breakfast
After the nightlong sleep, the body needs nourishment in the morning. This helps us perform better at work and kickstarts our metabolism. A nutritious low fat breakfast will go a long way in the weight loss plan and over-all health.

Have More Protein
Protein counters hunger pangs by making you feel full faster. It is also helpful in boosting metabolism and building lean muscles. So when you cut the fats and the simple carbs, stack up on protein.

That is just about all on diet. When it comes to diets, there is an endless list. But then, diets are difficult to stick to, and after the rebound, people generally put on all they lost. Everyone has a fairly clear idea of “good” and “bad” food. Just make sensible choices.

Exercise
Exercise is another very important aspect of weight loss. It is something we cannot or should not do without.

With busy schedules not leaving us with enough time to hit the gym, walking can be a viable substitute. It can start with little, maybe a half an hour walk, slowly building up to 45 minutes to an hour.

This is an effective way of boosting metabolism and easing the body into exercise mode after a long period of inactivity.

Whatever you do, make it an integral part of your routine. Exercising should be indispensable, and trust us, one does find time. 10 minutes here, 15 minutes there, it all adds up.

However, while you are at it, make sure you rely more on the mirror than the scales. The leaner and tighter you look, the better your progress is (as if you didn’t know!).