Loosing weight is easier if you use all pieces of the weight loss puzzle: Reduced portion sizes, limited snacking, eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking plenty of fluids and exercising.
Many people fail to add activity to their daily routines when trying to lose weight. Research has shown that those most successful at losing weight and keeping it off are people who exercise regularly and become more active.
Any kind of activity will help. In fact, it doesn't need to be structured exercise. It can all come from activity that is a normal part of daily routines and leisure time.
An active lifestyle means taking the opportunity to move whenever you have the choice.
For example:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
- Walk or bike to errands instead of driving.
- Keep your house clean by vacuuming, dusting, making beds, folding laundry and sweeping.
- Tend a garden by hoeing, raking, digging and planting.
- Walk to work instead of taking the bus.
- Play with your children instead of watching them play, or
- Cook instead of buying take-out food
The most important thing you can do is turn off the TV. You burn the same amount of calories watching TV as you do sleeping. Not very many.
So instead of watching TV you could:
- Play cards
- Play Frisbee golf with the family
- Play board games with friends
- Turn on the radio and dance
- Take your kids to the park
- Join a city sports league
- Volunteer to weed the church garden
- Take an elderly neighbor for walk
- Baby-sit a toddler
- Attend classes at your local YMCA, or
- Do a craft
Making little changes can have a big impact on your waistline. Every step counts.