Trim Mom

WeightLoss Resolution: Bad Idea?

You know I’d never really thought about this before but it kind of makes sense.  After you read this, leave me a comment and tell me what you think.

There’s one big mistake many people make and never even realize it’s making them gain weight:  making a New Year’s resolution to lose weight.  Many of us make a commitment to lose weight by making it a New Year’s Resolution, seems like a good idea….right?

While it seems counterintuitive, resolving to lose weight later may very well cause you to gain it now. That’s because you get into the mindset of, “well, I’m going to stop eating sweets altogether next month, so I might as well enjoy them now.”  You could actually end up eating more now and gaining more weight during the holidays simply because you “know” you’re going to lose weight “next year.”  Think about it…how many times have you heard people sit down at a holiday feast and say, “Good thing my diet starts tomorrow” or something to that effect.  I know I hear it every year.  Someone will always say, “I’ll start tomorrow” or “next week.”  My family is certainly guilty of that.

By telling ourselves that losing weight will be a New Year’s Resolution, we may be shooting ourselves in the foot during this holiday season.  What do you think?

Technorati Tags: health, new years, resolution, weightloss

Winter Weight Gain: Exposing A Hidden Culprit

While there are obvious reasons for gaining weight during the winter (like the abundance of food and treats as well as lack of exercise) there is also one big hidden reason:  depression.

It’s not unusual to suffer seasonal depression during the winter.  Not only will depression cause you to reach for more fattening foods, it can also leave you lethargic and unwilling to get exercise.  This combination will obviously result in packing on the pounds which often times furthers depression.

To stop from falling into this nasty cycle, take steps to keep your mood elevated as you go into winter and then keep it up through the season.  One of the biggest causes of seasonal depression is lack of sunlight.

Be sure to keep your home and office well lit when you’re indoors.  If this isn’t enough, take a few 20 minute periods every day to sit in from of a high watt bulb.  This will help boost your mood in a natural way.

While bad diet and lack of exercise are often a result of depression, they can also be part of the cause of the depression.  If you start feeling depressed, focus on maintaining your healthy habits.  They will help boost your mood and keep you from falling into a bad cycle of depression, unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, and weight gain.

Technorati Tags: weight gain, weightloss, winter

If You’re Not Exercising…

You are not alone!

Did you know that 30 percent of people don’t get any exercise at all during the winter?

I don’t know about you, but right now I’m part of that statistic.  In addition to those who aren’t exercising, those that do often get less than they would during the warmer months of the year.  Winter is often cold and bitter outside which discourages us from getting out and about.  I know if I lived in a really cold place, I’d probably just want to curl up under a warm blanket with a good book all winter long.  Winter can also be dark and dreary which can easily hamper motivation to do anything, much less get up and work out.  The on top of all of that, it’s generally a hectic time of year with it being that holiday season and all.  Shopping, holiday gatherings, company parties, and everything else that goes along with the holidays makes it a challenge to find time for exercise.  I have to admit that I’m more likely to want to fill my extra time with a fun holiday activity than a workout.  All this adds up to the unhealthy habit or not getting enough physical activity during the winter.  With that in mind, here are

3 Tips for Getting Exercise During the Winter

Join a gym: Gyms offer expert staffs, a warm and safe place to exercise, a chance to get out of the house, and chance to socialize with new people.

Utilize the Mall: The mall is not only good for shopping.  A walk at the mall, may be more interesting than walking at the park.  Plus some have some great stairs you can climb for an added challenge.  Some malls even have walking clubs you can join.

Exercise Tapes or DVDs: Ah yes, it’s time to break out those exercise videos!  They allow you to stay in the comfort of your own home and have more privacy while you exercise.

Other ideas include:

• Running in place
• Getting a rebounder
• Playing with the kids
• Playing sports with family and friends
• Participating in indoor winter sports programs

A word of warning: Quick temperature changes can be a dangerous shock to your body.  When going outside, take time to give your body a proper warm up and cool down.  Also, when coming in from the cold, wait a few minutes to remove your coat and other layers.

When you venture outside in the winter, it’s important to take extra precautions to stay warm and safe.  Always be sure to bundle up and wear layers.  You want enough to keep you warm, but not so much that you’re sweating.  While sweating during your summer workout is great, during the winter sweat makes you wet and can make you cold in freezing temperatures.

Exercising during the winter may take a bit more planning and effort, but you’ll be rewarded by staying healthy, looking good, and maybe even having some fun.

Technorati Tags: exercise tips, fitness, health, Holiday WeightLoss Tips, weightloss, winter exercise

Increase Metabolic Rate, Lose Weight

7 wise moves to increase metabolism

Most times diet alone will not help you reach and maintain your weightloss goals. Most diets are only fads which, instead of giving you the results you hope and work for, leave you frustrated and hopeless.  But don’t worry, help is here!.

Here are 7 effective moves towards a healthier, sexier you!!!

Sleep well, live well
I know this is easier said than done for many moms, but just be aware of the effect sleep, or lack thereof, has on, not only your overall health, but your weightloss as well. According to studies, people who just have 4 hours of sleep at night have slower metabolism than those who have 8-hour sleep. Moreover, the former resort to overeating since they feel like eating would cover up the lack of sleep. You must have enough sleep for you to feel revived after every “wake up”.

Sweat out a little in the evenings
Recent research that tells us that our metabolism tends to slow down during late in the afternoon or at the end of the day.  So, in order for you to burn more calories, it is wise to do some evening walks and other exercise forms that would allow you to sweat it out and burn calories.

Do not be a slow drag- move more
As you move more, you burn more calories. Instead of taking a ride to a near place, walking is a better choice. You must gradually make minor lifestyle changes. These can be very small changes that are easy to implement. For example, it could be as simple as taking the stairs instead of taking the elevator, or doing gardening instead of watching TV.

Eat more proteins
Diet studies show that protein intake stabilizes the amount of insulin in the bloodstream which is highly-beneficial for you.

Skipping meals is skipping life
Drastic changes for your body are not good. Never dwell on or believe the idea that missing a meal would make your waistline look trim and sexy.  Whenever you suddenly stop eating, your body reacts and adjusts by slowing down metabolic rate.

Sweat out a bit for some exercise
Exercise does not directly result in a better metabolism because not all forms of exercise cause an increase in metabolism.  However, they can lead to better sleeping habits and, better sleep increases metabolism.

Most of all build lean muscles
Having more lean muscle expedites metabolism. A few push-ups and squats daily are a big help. Just bear in mind that it is not all about working out in and of itself, but about how the workout effects your body’s metabolic rate.

Seven simple ways to move toward your trim mom goals.  Never let go of the hope that you will a live a healthier, sexier, better life!!!

Technorati Tags: exercise, metabolism, weightloss

From Tired to Fit - 5 Ways to Improve Fitness

Have you ever felt tired and stressed out from work only to see your three children running towards you asking you to play basketball with them once you got home?  Since you’re tired, you refuse and promise that you’ll play “later.”  Sound familiar?

Instead of disappointing your children, why not say, “yes” next time?  You will be surprised by the amount of energy you will have after that 30-minute activity.

Did you know that exercising at a moderate pace for only 30 minutes helps you feel a lot better, mentally? It has been proven that even moderate exercise not only improves appetite, but sharpens your style in problem solving as well. Not only that. You will also find it is easier to sleep at night if you do moderate exercises even for only 30 minutes every day.

What are the benefits of regular exercise? It promotes self-discipline and has a positive impact how you perceive life. Exercise helps in lifting your spirits and getting you out of any depression. For first timers, it can be done for 15 minutes for 2 to 3 days a week. You can increase the time you spend once your body gets tuned up for it.

DON’T you ever force your body! This is one of THE biggest mistakes newbies make.  If you get hurt, then stop. You can take a break from exercising for a few days and then you can start again but you’ll be starting all over from day 1.

Here are some moderate exercises you can do and enjoy:

1. Do the Walking. Make use of your surroundings. You can walk your dog, with your partner or child. Encourage your family to do the walking exercise daily and you will find yourself burning calories while enjoying the surroundings and getting enough sunlight that is also good for your body.

2. Discover the wonders of Yoga. Yoga is one effective exercise that energizes not only your body but also your soul. You may want to learn even the basic yoga positions that are not too complicated but proven effective. A five-minute yoga exercise can perk you up and recharge your body with the energy you lost for the whole day. You relax and at the same time you stretch!

3. Engage yourself into sports. Play basketball, football, baseball, tennis or badminton. Many doctors have recommended sports as an effective way to stay fit and healthy. Sports can also be done in moderation. Do not take it seriously. Shooting basketball with a friend is one moderate exercise that is also considered a sport.

4. Join exercise programs at work. If you still do not have exercises programs at work, then why not start it? You can talk to your boss about it and start with your colleagues. You do not only lose calories but it is also one good way to bond with them. This can be done 30 minutes, 3 times a week.

5. Exercise while doing household chores. Gardening, raking leaves, lawn mowing, doing the laundry, vacuuming and car washing are effective moderate exercises at home. Make use of these chores to sweat and burn calories. Instead of using machines and gadgets to perform these chores, why not do it with your hands and lose some fats?

You may be surprised at how many calories you burn simply by incorporating exercises into your daily routines and tasks. Doing these moderate exercises every day can burn from 150 calories up to 1,000 calories a day!

Personally, I love high intensity exercise.  With high intensity, you feel like you’ve gotten a great workout and you see results relatively quickly.  However, not everyone finds it easy to get into high intensity, especially if you’re not used to working out.  If you’re not quite ready for high intensity these  moderate exercise ideas are a great way to get started on your path to improved fitness!

Technorati Tags: exercise, fitness, health, moms weightloss, weightloss