Healthy and Fitness

Author: Robert Kokoska

Nowadays, there are many weight loss programs catering to both men and women, and each has a slightly different approach. There is a general recognition of the fact that weight problems are both physical and psychological in nature. Because of the dual nature of weight problems, the solution is seldom as simple as just eating less. For example, Weight Watchers and several other well-known weight loss programs require you to come in for a weigh-in, often public, and receive various types of counseling. That is in addition to tracking what you eat during the day and adding it up according to a special system.

Other weight loss programs take a pro-active, behavioralist approach by asking you to identify your eating habits and patterns. Under what circumstances do you tend to overeat? Which foods do you eat when you are overeating? By answering these questions, you can identify and anticipate your own weak points and problem areas, and a specialized system is designed for you, taking these into account.

This type of weight loss program is particularly successful because it is realistic, aknowledging that not everyone is alike, and that a 'one size fits all' program may fail to help a certain percentage of the clientele. Also, because a program like this teaches you to avoid pitfalls, it is infomation that can be used throughout your life, not just when you are 'on a diet' or actively following the program.

Not all weight loss programs incorporate exercise, but they all should. Exercise is probably the single most important factor in weight loss - more important than how much, or how little, you eat. Exercise boosts your body's metabolism rate, so that you burn more of the calories you ingest. Exercise also builds muscle, which continues to burn fat and calories even after you have finished exercising. Finally, exercise just makes you feel better about yourself and the world.

Happy people may eat heartily at times, but they are less likely to binge eat or to eat out of boredom. In short, exercise can help accelerate your weight loss in many different ways. It doesn't really matter what type of exercise you do, as long as you to it regularly. Studies vary regarding this particular subject - some recommend intense exercise a few times a week, while others say just the opposite - that you should exercise every day, but at a lower intensity. The bottom line is that you should do what feels good to you, and what fits into your schedule.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/choose-from-the-many-weight-loss-programs-available-today-392982.html

Author: Bobby Kelly

When I coach my athletes on the high school, collegiate and professional level I can always tell that my players came to practice with one of two mindsets: train to get it done and over with -or- train to get better.

Regardless of how they arrive, I use a few tactics to make the second choice the preferred.

I see this happen with my everyday clients as well.

I sometimes even hear the phrase, "Bobby you are lucky I even showed up today". Now if you have read between the lines, you can imagine my response. I can be crass, to the point and down right obnoxious at times. And this phrase can set off all three moods at once.

How do I respond, you ask?

Before I opened my own facility, I would train in health clubs and I could see that it was more or less the same. Many (if not most) of the trainers who worked in the big boxes trained each session to just get it done instead of using each session to help their clients improve and learn to love exercise.

So here are a couple of questions for you: How do you approach each training session? Do you train each session specifically to make yourself better, to develop healthy lifestyle habits, a strong lean physique and to make sure you are the most energetic person you can be?

Or do you train just to get it done because I am "lucky" you made it to the gym at all?

If you train with a purpose you'll find that you will be happier, get better results, you'll enjoy your workout much more and you will achieve your results quicker with more efficiency.

If you train to get it done, you'll constantly be watching the clock, dreading the time you are there and building a mental mindset that sucks the life out of you.

Now what about the difference between Easy and Simple??

I am constantly being asked "How can I make getting fit EASY?"

Getting fit is SIMPLE, but not EASY. In other words, we all have at least some idea what to do. If you only eat lean proteins and vegetables plus exercised, you will lose weight.

But getting healthy, making permanent changes to your metabolism, and ensuring you look the way you want to look for the rest of your life requires:

- Will Power

- Desire

- Effort

- Organization

- A Strong Support Group

- And a Proven Program

However, the PROCESS is SIMPLE.

I recently heard a trainer, Alwyn Cosgrove, bring up the example of the TV show Survivor. He said, "Every single person has lost weight on the show. Is it the easiest or most pleasant way to lose weight (by not really eating)? No. But is it SIMPLE? Yes."

There is no truer statement.

You don't need complex routines. You just need smart routines.

You don't need tons of time. But you need to make some time and make it count.

You can make changes in your diet that are reasonable, provided you don't eat horribly now. These changes will take effort and work.

It is simple, but not always easy. But who ever gets anywhere by taking the easy route anyway?

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/what-mindset-do-you-bring-to-fitness-379754.html