The Solution To The New Years Resolution

By Anthony Kelley

As we embark on the new year, most of our minds undoubtedly turn to our new years resolutions. Though usually there are several that we set out to achieve. For a majority the main resolution is usually to lose those added few extra pounds that we gained over the holidays, on top of the pounds that we had vowed to lose the previous year before.

Unfortunately the choices that we are inundated with each year to help us go about accomplishing these goals, does not make it any less difficult. Many people have a general idea about how to lose weight, such as more exercise and reducing caloric intake. Only exactly how to go about this gets more and more complicated, confusing and frustrating. Due to the many varied opinions on exercise and diet theories that are bandied about by self proclaimed experts trying to establish a name for themselves and capitalize on the 30 billion dollar plus weight loss industry.

With the allure of achieving amazing results with little effort and ease, we are often taking in by the claims boasted by the purveyors of these diets, pills, gadgets, invasive, as well as potentially harmful weight loss procedures. Some that tout these seemingly miraculous remedies have minimal credentials. Some actually don't have any at all. At the same time they use initials like, PHD or MD in front of their name to give them more validity. Though with adequate scrutiny it would reveal their PHD or MD has nothing to do with their claims of being a weight loss expert. At best some of their methods can lead to only a temporary weight loss solution.

Notably for many years, many diets has given the misguided advice of severely restricting total caloric intake, compromising your metabolism as a end result. While it is still somewhat true, in more recent years the emphasis has greatly shifted to the low carbohydrate craze. It is touted by such authors of The Zone, Sugar Busters, Protein Power and the latest the South Beach Diet, all of which are basically variations on a theme. This widely accepted as fact, low carb mania has it’s roots within the Atkin’s Diet.

For some 30 some odd years Atkins has been advocating the virtually no carb diet while at the same time advocating high fat and high protein. His radical approach goes against all conventional wisdom and years of proven scientific and nutritional research. It has also been known to cause serious complications.

The simple fact is, regardless of what types of food that you consume whether it is from carbohydrates, protein or fats if you take in an excess of what you body needs and is able to burn off it will be store as fat!









Permanent weight loss is ultimately a result of a lifestyle change including a diet of healthy eating habits such as fruits and vegetables, whole grain foods, unprocessed carbohydrates, good fats and lean meats typically consisting of small frequent meals during the course of the day.

Consuming plenty of water gives a feeling of satiety and increases the efficiency of how our bodies burn fat and aids in reducing water retention.

Though exercise is a drudgery that most of us do not look forward to, it is important in burning excess fat calories, as well as having other positive physiological changes in our body such as reducing cholesterol levels, decreasing hypertension (high blood pressure) and preventing type 2 diabetes.

Starting at a low to moderate intensity the amount and type of exercise is relative to each individual. The factors that determine this are age, condition, and various physical and medical limitations, but ideally your exercise program should include minimally 30 minutes of cardio/respiratory exercise three times a week along with resistance training to build lean muscle mass. Building lean muscle enables your body to burn more calories off at rest, increasing your resting metabolic rate. Resistance training also increases bone density which lessens the onset of osteoporosis.

So in deciphering through the deluge of information when contemplating on how you will go about losing those pounds. To help you make your decision, you may consider using these guidelines.

Does this diet suggest to severely reduce caloric intake, 1200 calories or less? Does it advocate totally eliminating any specific food groups? Does it encourages exercise or does it give the impression that it, the diet alone is the end all and be all?

When you make the concerted effort to filter through all of the hype and reiterate it is not that hard to get a clear understanding, that we are all unique and our nutritional requirements vary depending on lifestyle, activities, age and size. There is no cookie cutter formula or magic bullet and how much we eat as individuals may differ, but the principles of healthy eating remains the same.

Long term weight loss is an life long commitment that takes proper planning, proper eating habits with well balanced meals, exercise, hard work and dedication, there are no quick fixes! Not without consequences, if you are looking for long lasting results.

This new year as you make your resolution to lose weight I encourage you to do so with a great deal of caution, but ultimately the choice will be yours and hopefully it will be a wise and well informed one. Good Luck!

Anthony Kelley is a Certified Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist and Nutritional Consultant.
he can be reached at 732-208-6903 or by e-mail at Foru2befit@aol.com http://www.customfitness1on1.com/

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