When we want to shed those unwanted pounds, we may begin by focusing on making dietary changes such as reducing our calorie intake, reducing portion sizes and cutting out junk food. This is a step in the right direction and will achieve weight loss, but another factor needs to be considered. To promote good health as well as weight loss we should also focus our attentions on getting fit. We may lose the weight we are aiming for but are we feeling unwell, weak and generally unhealthy once we are slim?

Here are a few things to bear in mind concerning weight loss and fitness:

– Physical exercise and activities help boost metabolism.

The more active we are, the slimmer we will be and the healthier we will be. If we follow a regular exercise regime and maintain an active lifestyle we will be able to consume more calories and still maintain a stable healthy weight. When we try to lose weight by simply eating less, we are setting a foundation for a lifetime of reducing our calorie intake more and more just to maintain a healthy weight as our metabolism slows down as we age.

– Physical fitness helps to promotes mental and emotional fitness.

When we are physically active, our whole body, mind and emotional state benefit. We will not only benefit by having more energy but also be stronger, have better balance and flexibility and we will also enjoy a more positive attitude, increased concentration and relax and sleep much better.

– Physical activity helps to relieve stress.

If we are physically fit we will find it easier to reduce and manage stress, which helps to keep our weight down. The hormone Cortisol in increased levels are released into the bloodstream when we are stressed, which can lead to excess stored fat around the midriff area. If we suffer regularly from stress, this can lead to the storage of excessive fat storage in our midsection. Maintaining a regular exercise regime
will not only burn off any stored fat, but also help us to relieve stress which will prevent us from storing more.

It is obviously more sensible for us to get fitter rather than focusing on weight loss alone. We do not have to become a super athlete to be fit we merely need to include regular exercise in our daily routine several times each week. This alone will help us to lose weight and tone our body easier along with the addition of many other benefits to our general health and well-being.