No More Fairytales

by | Sep 15, 2008 | Atlanta dietitian, Atlanta personal training, Atlanta pilates, Atlanta prenatal workouts, Atlanta yoga, burn calories, exercise, fitness, weight loss

Appetizer

At the risk of making it seem as if dedication and consistency are the only routes to successful weight loss, let’s acknowledge that there are exceptions to every rule. There is someone out there who lost weight without the commitment and without putting in the work. We all hate her, but she does exist. And while we’re being up front and honest with ourselves, let’s also agree that while it’s not impossible for the little magic pill to work wonders, it is highly improbable. Fair enough?

Main Course

Weight Training

Weight training or strength training refers to the use of equipment that allows variable resistance. This resistance can be in the form of “free weights” like barbells and dumbbells, machines that use cables or pulleys to help you lift the weight or exercises like pull-ups or dips that rely on your own body weight. If you’re new to lifting weights, you should rely on a certified personal trainer to show you the ropes, but here are some general guidelines:

  • Complete a minimum of 8 – 10 exercises each time
  • Involve major muscle groups
  • Lift weights a minimum of 2 times per week
  • Do at least 1 set of 8 – 12 repetitions of each exercise
  • Use a resistance level that results in near fatigue

Aerobic Activity

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise as “any activity that uses large muscle groups, can be maintained continuously, and is rhythmic in nature.” This is the kind of exercise that causes your heart and lungs to work harder than they normally work. It is also referred to as cardiovascular activity or “cardio” for short, and jogging, brisk walking, step classes and kickboxing are all great examples. Remember these tips:

  • Do cardio 3-5 days per week
  • Aim for 40 to 60 minutes of continuous aerobic activity
  • Work at a moderate intensity: 60-80% of maximum heart rate (Use a heart rate monitor)

Consistently Good Nutrition

A healthy diet is an integral part of making your workout work for you. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat intake. In addition:

  • Eat foods high in fiber
  • Reduce the number of calories in your diet that come from processed sugars
  • Choose and prepare foods with less salt
  • Drink the daily recommended amount of water: 8 to 10 cups (64 to 80 ounces) of water a day
  • If you drink alcoholic beverages, drink them in moderation (no more than one drink per day)

Dessert

To lose weight, you don’t need any expensive equipment or fancy diet plans. You just have to do a few simple things and do them consistently. It will require some effort, and you certainly won’t lose the weight overnight, but if you follow these suggestions the weight loss will be much easier to sustain over time. So watch what you eat, weight train, do some type of aerobic activity and leave the little magic pills in Fairytale Land with Cinderella and her girls.

About Cafe Physique:
The mission of Café Physique is to help clients reach and exceed their personal fitness and nutrition goals. If you’re in need of an a nutritionist in Atlanta or an Atlanta personal trainer – Café Physique is the perfect solution. We offer Atlanta yoga instruction, Atlanta prenatal workouts, and Atlanta personal training. We also have private sessions of pilates that Atlanta residents are raving about. We invite you to let a member of our Atlanta registered dietitian staff or personal training team develop and implement a realistic and healthy lifestyle plan to meet your personal goals.