Make time, if weight loss is true priority

Make time, if weight loss is true priority
Ask Dave

By Dave Patania
Enquirer contributor


Question: I am not very overweight, but I find it very difficult to
lose weight. I have tried pretty much every diet and workout program,
but nothing seems to work. I am frustrated. What can I do?

Answer: Countless others have "tried every diet and workout program" as
well. This wicked game of fighting inches and pounds continues because
people, no matter how determined, don't truly live fitness; they simply
try to borrow its key points to achieve quick results. That's a recipe
for failure.

When people tell me they have "tried everything," that is a clear
indication that they haven't been taught the basics of fitness, nor
have they taken physical activity and nutrition seriously enough.

You must be willing to educate yourself on what are the most safe and
effective ways to achieve success, then stick to your plan no matter
what.

Your first step is to have a fitness professional outline a basic
workout and nutrition format in order to form a foundation upon which
you can build.

Step 2 is to not think about "weight loss" or "fitting into designer
clothes" but rather to build on this foundation with consistent overall
fitness and nutrition. At the basic level, you should be exercising at
least three or four times a week. Ideally, perform three or four days
of cardiovascular activity, two days of resistance training, and at
least two days of flexibility training per week.

You can do both cardio and strength training on the same day twice a
week, then have one or two days left to solely concentrate on cardio.
Your flexibility requirement can be satisfied by stretching before and
after each workout.

Don't say you don't have time because when something is a priority you
can always find time. People succeed and fail every day based on
whether or not they make their health a true priority. You have tried
"everything," it is now time to focus on one thing at a time.