Fitness and weight loss go hand in hand and the benefits from both are priceless and should be life long goals resulting in a lifestyle change. I feel that the longest stride is the first step but from there it becomes easier each day and becomes part of your daily routine. I can vouch for that because I myself am embarking on this journey and am now truly enjoying each and every moment of it! I will attest that not everyday is easy but I try to mentally and physically motivate myself to eat healthy and on a timely schedule and to incorporate exercise into my daily routine throughout the entire day, especially if I cannot do it all at one time. I try to strive for at least 30 minutes of stretching, cardio and toning along with weight lifting at least 5 to 7 days a week and now it has become a daily habit that on days I cannot fit it in, I truly miss it but everyday is a fresh start! Don’t become discouraged because with persistence and willpower you can and will achieve the results you want and once you begin to feel and see these for yourself you will be very proud of yourself and want to see and feel more.

There are many things to take into consideration when beginning this lifestyle change, I say that because I do not consider it dieting if you want to have lifelong results and reach your ultimate fitness goals. The health benefits in itself and the ability to change your body physically and mentally are well worth the challenge!

There are many aspects and things to consider when making the decision to yourself to become physically fit and live the lifestyle you truly want. The major thing to ask yourself is, Am I ready for this mentally? Then if you truly are the physical will follow. Always remember one step at a time and you can and will be able to do this because you are going to begin changing things a little at a time in your diet and your daily physical routine above and beyond what your body is already used to on a daily basis now. You are going to need to set a daily calorie allowance preferably 1200 to a maximum of 1500 calories a day to obtain weight loss at a healthy rate which is approximately 2 pounds a month because a slower amount of weight loss will achieve a lifelong weight loss and then maintenance once you reach your goal weight but even more importantly is exercise in any form that interests you to tone and gain muscle mass along with many other health benefits including getting off prescription medications for certain diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and even cholesterol levels.
As we age we also lose bone density and weight- bearing exercise can aid in the increase of this and the reduction in osteoporosis which can cause severe injury in the elderly such as broken bones especially due to falls where with exercise and fitness core balance and stability is at a greater amount.

Exercise and physical movement can range from yoga to Pilates, swimming and then there are also faster paced activities such as dance or aerobic classes, running, even brisk walking and circuit training which is both cardio and resistance of some form incorporated into one 30 minute workout with stretching to follow.

I will leave you with these options: You can join a gym which of course offers all of the above most likely with a contract and monthly fees or you can also achieve your fitness goals exercising at home with inexpensive equipment and get the same results.