Joining The Gym

No question, obesity is reaching epidemic levels in the US. Some studies declare that at least 60% of Americans are obese. Weight gain is sneaky. Our bodies can slowly gain a pound here, a pound there, and suddenly, we see it. The stomach hides the belt, the jeans won’t make it over the hips, and denial is no longer an option.

Weight gain and loss is all about one thing: calorie intake. It’s all in the numbers. When our daily calorie intake exceeds the amount of calories burned, the excess is stored in our bodies in the form of fat. When the calorie intake is less then what our bodies burn, weight loss occurs.

If you have decided that it is time to cut the fat in your life, congratulations. As you know, there are many ways to approach losing weight and getting in shape. Many weight losers choose to go on a diet and couple this with an exercise program that includes joining a gym. This is a great approach because this method cuts calories in two ways. The calorie intake is reduced by the new diet, and the body burns more calories because physical activity is increased. But, here is the downside. When you are overweight, the challenge of increasing physical activity is compounded because your body’s infrastructure is stressed more so than those who are carrying
a more appropriate weight. At the heavier weight, increased beneficial physical activity is too much of a challenge for most people to sustain.

What’s Effective
To increase your likelihood of success at a weight loss program focus on diet first. The first step is to consult with your physician. Don’t wait until you have to see your doctor for another reason and mention weight loss as a side issue. Call your doctor’s office and set an appointment specifically for discussing and setting up a weight loss program. Obesity is a very serious medical condition and warrants a visit to the doctor’s office.

We recommend that you lose 5 to 10% of your weight prior to considering joining a gym. When you begin your increased physical activity, you will already feel better, have more energy, and will have less weight to carry around as you climb on to the machines at your gym. It can make a world of difference. Most quality gyms will provide you with a work out regime. If you start out slow and not try to lose all of your weight in the first visit, you will be more motivated to return. There are many great machines and exercise equipment available today.
Of particular benefit is the elliptical cross trainer. This machine is a high calorie burner, and provides a virtually no-impact workout.

When you first begin working with this machine, you may find that you can exercise no more than 5-10 minutes. This is fine. Set your goal, that no matter what your starting point is, that each workout, you exceed the previous workout by one minute. This is an easily achievable goal, and in no time, you will have worked your way up to 20-30 minutes.

There is no better time than now to begin your journey to weight loss and health. As your physical health improves, you will find a renewed energy to pursue and attain the other goals you have set for yourself in life. You cannot always control other aspects of life, but you, ultimately have control over what you eat and your exercise regime. Remember, there is no better time than now to start!