Losing Weight

So this has nothing to do with running, but I am a personal trainer.

6 of my 7 current clients have very specific weight goals.

At any given time, approximately 40% of women and 25% of men in the U.S. are trying to lose weight.

And I just finished watching "The Biggest Loser." While I LOVE this show, think that it's a great motivator for us and think it's done a TON for my industry (personal training), unfortunately it's a bit unrealistic for those of us in the real world. Weight loss is a marathon, not a sprint. Many of my clients come to me frustrated after working out with me for 6 weeks and only losing 7 pounds. 7 POUNDS!! That's huge. I'm so proud. But they're frustrated because they see the infomercials and the Biggest Loser.

I always tell clients that the healthy way to lose weight is 1-2 lbs/week.

So I leave you with some tips from the National Weight Control Registry. Remember these are people who have lost more than 30 lbs and kept it off for at least 1 year. Many of them longer.

1) Control Portions: Research suggests that portion control is the GREATEST predictor of successful weight loss. The average pasta restaurant give you 5 times the average serving on a plate. 1 serving is about the size of the palm of your hand.

2)Pay attention to what you eat: I make my clients who are serious keep a food log. They are always shocked at how often they eat. They are also shocked at WHY they eat. Some eat because they are bored, stressed, sad, tired, and sometimes even full from the last meal. Ask yourself why you're heading to the fridge.

3) Exercise regularly: Of course I would remind you of this! As we lose weight (from dieting alone), a portion of each pound comes from lean body mass (muscle). That in turn slows down the metabolism and makes it difficult to keep weight off. When we exercise we are building muscle which speeds up the metabolism and burns MORE calories!

4)Check the scale: Don't be obsessive. Just know where you are.

5)Eat breakfast: Research tells us that breakfast eaters weigh less and suffer from fewer chronic diseases than people who skip breakfast.

You can do this guys! And don't be discouraged if you don't lose 15 lbs this week like Roger.

And finally, a word from Madonna:
"There are no tricks. Tricks don’t work. Discipline does."
—Madonna