Total Mind Connection’s Weblog

When it comes right down to it there are no shortcuts to losing weight. I’ve found that weight loss is a matter of applying three keys, diet, strength training and cardiovascular exercise. Today I’d like to explore these three keys and how you can use them to reach your ideal body weight goals.

Diet (Key Ingredient I)

If you’re like me you probably love to eat. Since that’s the case we need to understand the types of foods that help us obtain our ideal body image.

A simple fact about your body is that your digestion burns somewhere between ten and thirty percent of your daily calorie intake. When you digest protein your body burns nearly twice the calories than when digesting fats or carbohydrates. Research shows that eating protein burns 25 calories for every 100 calories you take in while eating fats and carbohydrates burn between 10 to 15 calories for every 100 calories you consume. So eating lean protein like lean beef, fish, chicken are an excellent way for you to supply your body with calorie burning food.

Of course you want to balance your diet with fresh fruits and vegetables since they are an excellent course of vitamins, minerals and the roughage needed to move that food more easily through your body. Complex carbohydrates, found in whole grains, fruits, legumes (peas and beans), and other vegetables are also vitally important.

The important thing is to find foods that you like and manage your portion size. When you are eating the right sized portions of foods you enjoy it makes it a lot easier to move your body in the direction you want it to go.

Regular Strengthening Exercise (Key Ingredient II)

Big Note: Before you start or even consider any new exercise program consult with your physician.

If you want to lose weight, strength training is essential. Strength training includes weight training calisthenics, Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.

I have trained with weights and other types of strength training equipment most of my like. I have also trained in the martial arts since I was eleven and am presently participating in Yoga practice. These types of work outs help me look and feel better.

Not only does muscle mass look better than fat it also burns more calories than fat does. In fact a pound of muscle burns about 6 calories a day while a pound of fat only burns 2 calories in a day. So strength training helps you burn more calories than merely exercising your cardiovascular system.

Cardiovascular Exercise (Key Ingredient III)

Big Note: Before you start or even consider any new exercise program consult with your physician.

I used to run but not anymore. That’s because a long time ago I hurt my knee and had to have it operated on. Since then, every year when I’d see my doctor for my physical he would ask me “How are you doing?” I’d say fine except my left knee hurts. He’d ask, “Are you still running?” Of course I’d admit that I was and he say, “Why don’t you use one of those elliptical machines, it’s easier on your knees.” Well I resisted this for a long time but a few years ago I stopped running and guess what? My knee stopped hurting.

Anyway, the final key to losing weight is cardiovascular exercise. This type of exercise are things like running, swimming, bicycling, kickboxing, walking and anything else that gets your heart rate up. One of my favorites is Tai Chi which gives you both a strength and cardiovascular workout while being easy on your joints. If you are San Diego check my website for my Tai Chi class schedule.

One of the simplest cardiovascular exercises and the one that will help your body begin to regain its ideal body image is walking. As long as you don’t have any knee or hip problems you can walk almost anywhere. Not only is it very easy on the joints, you don’t need any extra equipment.

So there you have it, the three keys to losing weight. Put them to use and you can regain and maintain your ideal body image. If you are having problems in any of these areas I can help just give me a call at (800) 989-6570, check out my website or take my complimentary weight loss e-course.

Until next time…

Wishing You Only Success