Wednesday 27 February 2013

How many days to lose it all?


When I started of my weight loss journey I always had unrealistic goals and a lot of magazines, articles encouraged me, I’m not talking about taking diet pills or undergoing liposuction but reading all those celebrity weight loss stories and a lot of magazine usually have articles with a heading like ‘Get a toned arms in a week’ or ‘drop a jean size diet’ or’ 90 days to a new you’
I’m not saying you should not read these articles because most of them do have a good list of exercises and good healthy eating tips but I'm not sure about how these always work...
Why?? Because there are so many things that need to be considered, these are generic statements, how can they apply to everybody? How can everybody no matter how overweight or how unhealthy or fit get toned at the same rate?
I personally noticed this when I bought a fitness DVD which promised 3 months to a toned body, as usual I did my research before buying this, I read a lot of reviews and most of them where positive so I went ahead and picked up the DVD. This was when I was 30 pounds into my weight loss (nearly half way through) I was not very fit but I was used to a bit of exercising. When I started working out using the DVD I realised I could not keep up with the workout all the time, so even if I was giving my 100%  a lot more was expected..and a lot these exercises were new for me, learning the form and doing it without injury took time, all this time got added to the 3 months. So in 3 months I did lose more (I think it was around 8-10 pounds) but I was still 25 pounds away from my normal weight.
My Conclusion for all this:
  • Different bodies react differently to exercise. There can never be an exact number of days or set rules that will apply to everybody.  Instead of focusing on the number or the time why not set different goals like being able to do a set of new exercises or increasing the time you jog/walk for.
  • A lot depends on your initial fitness level and health. If the program expects you to do squats with weights but you have never done squats in your life I think the first few days will go in just learning the new form otherwise you would injure yourself and sometimes it can be the other way around, the exercises might be easier for you; for example at this point if I go back to only walking it is not going to help me much because my body is already used to jogging. So an article that talks about losing weight by walking will not be as effective for me now as it would have been when I first started my weight loss.
  • When you read about workout and different plans nobody considers the slip ups. A lot of times sticking to a program requires a change of mindset and attitude (How can I suddenly become disciplined and stick to a program there will be slip ups). So there has to be some breathing space.
  • I still read all possible articles but I read them to learn new exercises, techniques and see if I have missed anything. Most of my exercise routines are based on what I have read or on exercise DVDs but I do this to push my limits, try new things and change my routine. I don’t expect to see any miracle happening, otherwise I could just be disappointed.
What about you? what do you do?Do you find these points useful?
Keep Reading I will Keep Writing 
Tanvee

10 comments:

  1. Hi Tanvee! I am a sucker for those types of fitness titles. I get emails from Men's Health magazine and Women's Health magazine with titles that promise that I could lose "10 pounds this month!" or "increase ab definition in 30 days" or "lose two sizes in 30 days." I read them all, but they are mostly hyped recycled information that doesn't really work that fast.

    I guess all that matters to me anymore is having a long-term plan that keeps weight off. I've gotten very accepting and even quite happy if I stay the same weight or lose 0.25 pounds a week because I have reached smaller sizes that I like because of those very slow weight losses over a long period of time.

    So, as usual, excellent points in your writing. I always enjoy hearing what you have to say.

    :-) Marion

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    1. Hi Marion, even I read all those articles but I just don't expect anything to work as fast as they promise...I just use the things I think will work for me and move on :)

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  2. I've got quite a few fitness magazines on my shelf, but I don't really jump at the plans that they've presented - mainly for the points that you mentioned. There are so many factors that the magazines don't consider. I think after working on my health and fitness for some time now I realize that as appealing as those catch phrases sound, the bottom line is that you need to work hard. You need to eat right and exercise regularly - no other gimmicks required.

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    1. true if you are eating right and exercising regularly nothing else is required...sometimes the articles don't even add any value to my plan,because I'm already doing the things they mention..

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  3. They are tempting, and that's why they write them that way! Good job realizing you can't believe everything you read. :)

    The important thing is to remember this is not a race, that you should be making a lifestyle change, not looking at this healthier way as just a temporary fix to get you to point B. Because if that's the way one feels, they are almost guaranteed to suck at maintenance. You have to find a plan and lifestyle that you can stick to, for life.

    You are on your way!

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    1. hi Gwen, Hope you are feeling better now :)..I totally agree with you we should look at things as a lifestyle change or a long term plan no temporary quick fixes ever work.

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  4. I have to say I love reading these sort of articles but you are right, most cant be applied to general overweight person, its more aimed at people who are skinny and maybe put on 5lbs over xmas or something!

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    1. Hi Sarah, it's fun to read such articles :).I still read them but usually I pay attention only to the tips not to their timeline or their promises that's just not reasonable..

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  5. I know wouldn't it be fantastic if it worked that like. The thing to keep in mind is that every day you eat healthily and work out you are getting better. The days add add up as well as the lost pounds and the fitness. If you work at it for a month you make quire a few changes. Just keep trudging along with the rest of us, we can get there together.

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    1. Hi Betty,it surely would be fantastic and dream come true if losing all the excess weight in a few weeks or months was possible or sensible or even manageable. You are right as long as we focus on eating healthy and working out every day we will get there..

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