A few days ago I wrote about why so many fail their New Years resolutions to get in shape. Today I thought it appropriate to write a post about an easily achievable and detailed method to get into shape and avoid the pitfalls which so often lead to failure. In my previous post I wrote about a fictional young man who was over weight and wanted to lose 50 pounds. For the purpose of this post I will be writing about what he should have done. So, assuming you can somewhat relate to his condition and his goals, read on.
First of all, as far as “getting into shape” (whatever that is) I would say that the gym in incredibly overrated. Yes, personally, I cannot live without it. But my goals are not the goals of this young man. He lives a sedentary lifestyle, is generally unhealthy and fairly overweight. Commercial gyms have only been around for 100 years at most and for the majority of human existence folks became healthy by simple being. If you think that the gym is some Holy Land where God will give you the body you want if only you sacrifice enough of your money, time, and sweat for, then perhaps when the results do not come as fast as you expect you will quit. Cavemen did not have gyms and they were likely more healthy than us in most day-to-day practical ways.
The ability to get into shape is in your genes and your body. You body knows what to do if you can get out of the way and allow it to. The secret is MOVEMENT. You do not need an expensive gym membership to get into shape. Make a resolution to walk every morning for one hour before breakfast. Your body will be forced to adapt to this new stress and will reallocate calories and fat as it has learned to do over millions of years. You do not need to kill yourself on a treadmill to lose weight.
Secondly, you need to change your energy supply. If you are over weight (barring any medical condition I am not aware of) then you are eating some food that is high in calories and low in nutritional value. I am not here to support one diet fad over the other but I will say that MY BODY has responded well to the paleo. I keep my carbs below 30g a day and eat mostly meat and vegetables. I drink my coffee black and when I do eat junk food its in a controlled manner (meaning its one meal and I do not allow myself to binge on Saturday because I have been a good boy the reset of the week.)
That is it. Deprive your body of sugar or sugar producing foods such as carbohydrates and get your body moving. An hour walk may feel like nothing but I guarantee you will see results within a month. Allow your body to work for you. Do not blindly go into a gym unless you have some idea of what you are doing and want from the experience.
Walking and eating are the only two things you need to reach you health goals this year. As usual, please consult your doctor before beginning any exercise.
SWF 
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