The Real Secret to Losing Weight
I was feeling my very best when I was running 10 k’s (6.2 miles). My weight was a few pounds above my high school weight. I was running 7 miles a day and enjoying every minute of it. I was in love with running – some call it a runner’s high. Was I adicted – you bet.
One of the worse days of my life was when I had to give it up – I was sidelined by injuries. A couple of years ago I was deterimined to get back up on that plateau of running. I’ll never achieve what I did in the past, but I’ll give it a good run for its money – ha.
I run now as much as I can, but I can only do so much. I’m in my mid sixties, and I can only make small gains not big ones. I’ve learned to be patient. But I’m slowly getting there.
So what is the secret to losing weight? It is changing your focus. Making a commitment to do the best you can whether that is walking, swimming, running, skating, dancing, etc. Becoming a serious athlete. I did that years ago and now I’ve picked up the mantle and am doing it again. I’ve lost weight and eating is not my prime focus – running and exercising is. My cholesterol has dropped. My doctor wants blood tests from me every 2 years.
Tell me how many marathon runners finishing in the top ten are overweight? How many professional dancers are overweight? You could go down the line with these questions. I believe it is because they are not focused on eating – they are focused on improvement of their athletic performance. The are passionate about their sport.
It’s true that many serious athletes can eat anything they want because they burn so many calories in exercising. But it is also true they tend to gravitate towards healthful foods because they feel so much better and their bodies react in a positive way by improving their performance.
So I would say get active if you want to lose weight. Fall in love with walking, swimming, jogging, whatever. Change your focus and high cholesterol and heart disease will cease to be a problem for you.
But remember to check with your medical doctor before starting a regular exercise program.
In my mid 20’s to early 30’s I ran about 32mi every week with my training partner. Our route was 8mi done 4 times a week. The other three days we did weight training.
Now I’m 50 and weigh in 50lbs heavier than back then. 226lb now 175lb back then. Just this year I started walking 3mi daily and lifting 2 times a week.
I can’t run anymore (injuries) & it takes a lot longer to recover from heavy lifting (thus the twice weekly lifting) but I feel so much better and my strength and muscle definition are slowly starting to return as I drop fat, gain muscle and up the metabolism.
No doubt hard to get back into but it’s worth it and exercising/eating right is far superior than dieting.
Tom,
It sounds like you have a very logical approach to exercise.
I wish you the best of luck and please keep me informed.
Tim