Now that 2012 has already begun (and I hope the Mayans are wrong so we’ll live to see the end of it), it’s time to do a little summary of stuff I learned through blogging about fitness and fat loss throughout 2011. I hope that these lessons will help you make 2012 a great year in terms of health, weight loss, fitness, and fulfillment.
So here are the lessons. I hope you’ll enjoy them…
People who jump from one program to the next will fail
There are so many programs and products that are marketed to people who want to lose weight that it’s downright ridiculous. You are always tempted by the next best thing and it’s easy to get scattered. The truth is that there are many good programs out there and any of them can work for you.
You don’t need the next best thing and you don’t need things that are new. Take for instance Burn The Fat Feed The Muscle, a program which is about 10 years old. It is still one of the best programs in the world. Most new plans aren’t fit to tie its shoes.
You need to find a plan that works for you and stick to it. Even if it doesn’t work as fast as you imagined, no matter. As long as it works stick to it. Jumping from one diet plan to the next is a recipe for failure.
Some Myths Will Never Die
Even though fitness information is always updating and expanding, some myths just won’t die. Some women still don’t lift weights as much as they should because they’re afraid it will make them bulky. Others are still training according to the false fat burning zone and are wasting a lot of time and energy as a result.
Then there are those who believe that all fat is bad and don’t realize that your body actually needs fat to function properly. You can also find people who prefer isolation exercises to total body workout routines because they think that this is a better way to train.
I hope that 2012 will prove the year in which some of these myths finally die out.
Eating Less is Not Just Good for Weight Loss But Can Make You Live Longer
As weight loss is all about your caloric balance, learning to eat less calories is a sure way to lose weight. However, eating less is not just good for your diet, it may also prolong your life. During my research into longevity, I stumbled upon Hara Hachi Bu, a term from Okinawa which means “to eat until you’re 80% full”. This is considered to be one of the reasons why people in Okinawa enjoy the longest lifespan on Earth.
As plates get bigger, people eat more, and obesity spreads, it is clear that we’re not just living poorly but less overall because of our bad eating habits.
Free is Often Costly in Other Ways
Free is a magical word which we all love to hear or read. Everyone likes to get stuff for nothing. This is why people like to try free diet plans. However, free can often be costly in other ways. Most of the free diet plans I come across, such as the GM Diet, are gimmicky and often dangerous. They usually tout a very low calorie eating plan which has no reasoning behind it.
Yes, you can drop some weight with such plans but this is usually a temporary weight loss. Often, paying for a well thought of diet and fitness plan is the better way to go, especially as it gives you the ability to ask questions and get support when you need it.
Lifestyle is Key to Weight Loss
Weight loss is about more than just fitness and nutrition. It is about your lifestyle as a whole. Sleep affects weight loss as does stress, your mood, and your purpose in life. You need to lead a healthy and balanced life which gives ample time to your work, your family, your hobbies, and helps you achieve happiness. In 2012 I will write more about how to create a healthy lifestyle and be happy.
Calorie Control is Still Important
The idea that some calories are good and some are bad has merit, but it is used too liberally. Calories do matter! You can’t eat a lot of “good” calories and lose weight. You will still gain weight is you have a calorie surplus, no matter what calories you eat.
What Costs More is Often Worth Less
While free may turn out to be costly, you shouldn’t judge the quality of a product by its price tag. For example, the Ab Circle Pro looks great and costs upwards of $100, but it has an average rating of 2.4 stars out of 5 on Amazon (as of 10th of January) which shows that many people would have been happier with a low cost stability ball or equipment free ab workouts.
The same goes for a variety of fitness products and other weight loss tablets and pills. Many of them are a total waste of money. Others have some use but are not worth the cost. If 2011 taught me anything is that you can get fit without any equipment or with very affordable items.
Things Are Still Simple
Research about fitness and nutrition is becoming more advanced and complex. Now you can read about how hormones influence weight loss and the way in which specific fitness methods, done at various times of the day, affect your body fat and other health markers.
The truth is that fitness and weight loss are still simple for the most part. 80%, if not more, of your results will be achieved with very simple and basic principles: watch what you eat and lead an active lifestyle. You may need advanced methods if you want to be a bodybuilder or a fitness model. For most goals, simplicity rules!
Your Mind And Body Are Connected
Call it dedication, determination, drive, motivation, desire, or anything else. The bottom line is that your mind and body are connected. You need to have a sound mind and focus to achieve health and a good looking body.
Dumנbells Are Not You’re Only Option
Dumbbells still play a major role in my fitness routine. However, they are not the only option available to you or me. You can do kettlebell exercises, use workout bands, or even go equipment free and do bodyweight exercises. You can find many ways to train your body, burn fat and get lean. Fitness can be fun.
Morning Workouts Rock
The way you start your day is very important. It determines how the rest the day will pan out. This is why I do a morning workout and eat a big breakfast with lots of protein and fiber. Check out my morning ritual and see if you’d like doing it too.
Surrounding Yourself With Positive People Is Crucial
The support you get from the people around you can help you train harder and cope better with whatever hurdles you may face. Keep positive people near you and avoid negative people who can get you down.
What’s In Store For 2012
In the next post I’ll write about my predictions for 2012. Until then, I hope that this year is your best. Looking forward to having you on this website again.
