Shed Those Winter Pounds
Posted
by
WinterWomen
on Thursday, March 19, 2015
 In a few short days, spring will be upon us once again. The weather in each area across the globe is significantly different; however, I feel deep warmth within my heart from the longer days and sunshine that Colorado has already been pouring down upon us here this last week.
Extended days and warmer climate brings about lots of fun things such as spending more quality time outside with the kids, barbeques, camping and outdoor festivals. On the contrary, it also brings along with it one thing that we all dread and avoid for as long as physically possible – bathing suit season. Gulp!
Just when you thought you had perfected the art of camouflaging those few extra pounds you gained during the holiday season under black leggings and baggy sweaters, spring is rapidly sneaking up and taunting us with the impending thought of having to strip down to a meager bathing suit. What are you going to do?
 In order to obtain the ultimate bikini bod, you need to first MAKE THE COMMITMENT to shed those excess winter pounds by figuring out a routine that works best for your lifestyle and then sticking to it! Finding the time to hit the gym five days a week can seem next to impossible for those with kids, a job, prior engagements, plus any type of social life - so you may have to get creative. Instead of spending valuable time on a stair-stepper or treadmill, you can opt for playing soccer with the kids or setting up a neighborhood relay race. Maybe try signing up for a boot camp class with your best friend. Getting friends and family involved is definitely great motivation to keep on track and stay committed to your goal.
 Make sure to SET ATTAINABLE GOALS. Setting goals that are too vague or too extreme are a setup for disappointment and failure. You will be selling yourself short if your goal is simply “be healthy.” You will make yourself miserable (and probably sick as well) if your goal is to lose 25 pounds by next Tuesday. Be clear-cut and precise with such realistic goals as “I want to lower my body fat by 5% by Memorial Day” or “I want to lose 15 pounds in 10 weeks.” Set weekly and monthly mini-goals to make it quantifiable. You can achieve your goal weight and body fat -- as long as it is within reason and attainable. Remember that you are on a journey to improve your life as well as your health and gain control over your weight. Women come in all shapes in sizes – it is about feeling good in your own skin, not perfection!
 PUSH YOURSELF! If you burn more calories than you consume in a day, you will lose weight. Cardio is the most basic thing you can do when it come to burning calories. If cardio isn’t really your thing, you can hoax yourself into it by getting your hands on a fitness game (such as Just Dance) for your Nintendo Wii. Try switching it up with a form of high-intensity interval training that works for you and your body will continue to burn calories hours after you are done working out. Pretty cool, huh? Throw in some weight training a few times a week and you have the perfect work out balance. The key is to elevate your heart rate to the point where holding a conversation is very difficult and keep it there for thirty minutes 3-6 times per week. If you are not seeing the results you desire, push yourself harder by increasing the speed or intensity of your workout levels.
 The most important thing you can do for yourself to get in shape is ADJUST YOUR DIET. How much weight you lose is not solely dependent on how much you exercise: it is all about the combination of working out and eating right. Stay away from specific “fad” diets that may actually hinder weight loss and follow the food pyramid instead. If you restrict fatty and sugary food, eat lots of fruits and vegetables as well as the recommended amount of lean meats and good carbohydrates, you will be on the right track! According to the Calorie Countrol Council, to lose one pound, a person must burn 3,500 calories more than are consumed (500 calories per day over the course of a week). For example, reducing calories by 300 per day and increasing daily activity to burn off an additional 200 calories should result in a weight loss of one pound per week.
Lastly, make sure to TRACK YOUR SUCCESS and BE PATIENT. When you see your results, it becomes real. I love using free apps on my phone that allow me to see the distance that I run as well as calories burned and timed results. It allows me to not only be proud of myself for what I have already accomplished, but also push myself harder during my next workout. You also need to understand that things do not happen overnight. If your ideal weight and body fat is an achievable goal than I am confident that you will reach it if you stay on track. Like my mom always told me, you can do anything if you put your mind to it!
How are you planning to shed your unwanted winter pounds? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
Categories:
Health & Fitness
Tagged: staying active, health, spring, fitness, getting in shape, womens fitness, womens health
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