So you want to lose weight? The issue is not can you, for you can. The issue is how, and how effectively and easily.
I agree there are probably countless quick fix programmes around that may work for a few, but how many can you trust? Bear in mind that amongst these quick fixes there are genuine weight loss programs that with the right attitude will keep you fit, trim and healthy.
My aim is a series of articles explaining reasons for weight gain and ways to lose weight naturally and keep it lost.
You may try, lose some, then, it comes back with a rage. There are reasons why weight loss programmes fail.
Knowing a bit about the nature of our body can help understand these reasons.
A strong set of stomach muscles is good to have but is no use for making you look good if buried by unwanted belly fat. Often people can be in fairly good shape but have too much around the middle that they just can't seem to be able to shift. Do not despair, help is around.
The first thing to do is to avoid the fad products like ab belts that promise to strengthen your core muscles by sending electrical impulses that make your stomach muscles tighten, without doing any exercise. What a great world if only you could just lounge about drinking beer and eating burgers whilst your ab belt pulsated the pounds off. This is false hope that marketing companies seem to play on.
One piece of equipment however that really will help you shed the pounds is called an exercise ball, larger and lighter than a medicine ball, known mostly as a Swiss ball but also fitness ball, balance ball, gym ball and others. It was first introduced for medical treatment but has since become one of the most popular fitness products for athletes. Why? Because it works.
The exercise ball will enable you to strengthen those core underlying muscles. One easy and convenient use of the exercise ball comes from just sitting on it. That's right. You can sit down and build muscle. Easy. When doing this you use numerous muscles to stabilise yourself from falling off of it. By just sitting on your exercise ball for thirty minutes a day you will notice a change in your middle within a few weeks. Sit and watch TV, read a book, anything you want. You are not lounging because your muscles are working.
Stretching and relaxation techniques such as yoga are another good workout. These methods are often considered as fancy meditation. However, many people fail to understand just how good these are as a form of exercise for getting into overall shape. Remember, these techniques traditionally come from Asia where people are generally slim.
From a fat loss perspective these exercises have one major advantage. They help your body to increase its production of endorphins which counter the effects of stress hormones such as cortisol, the hormone that increases blood sugar for fight or flight, which turns to fat if not burned.
Many people think that to have a flat stomach you need to work hours in the gym. The muscle is already there, just covered in fat. Bear in mind that growing stomach muscle too much may even push the fat out further. The truth is that a simple healthy diet, coupled with a simple exercise program such as sitting on an exercise ball or actively getting involved in something like yoga can get you the results you want. Remember that these methods are tried and tested, whether recently for the sports arena or throughout the ages.
