Exercise and Weight Loss

Sometimes there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day to get everything crossed off our "needs" list, so our "wants" inevitably go by the wayside, including our weight loss goals. Studies have shown that when we limit caloric intake, our bodies will burn calories more conservatively as a preservation mechanism. Of course, your intention is to lose weight, but your body doesn't know this and is just following the time-honored tradition of keeping itself alive. This is the reason why the best weight loss program involves both diet and exercise. 

Increasing your muscle mass also increases your metabolism, which also increases your ability to burn calories at a more efficient rate. And as women age and with increased stress levels, their cortisol levels go up, which appear as that troublesome fatty layer around the midsection. Exercise is a stress reliever, so you might want to add it to your "needs" list, along with some dietary supplements to keep your activity levels on target. 

After finding the time to incorporate exercise into your daily life, just getting out and doing it can be the main obstacle to your weight loss success. For this reason, it's a good idea to get an exercise partner to keep you motivated. Knowing that someone is relying on you to make it out to the track for an early morning jog or Pilates class will keep you from disappointing them, as well as yourself. If your only free time is your lunch hour, see if a coworker would be interested in getting outside for a brisk walk around the office park, instead of heading to the nearest fast food joint or taco truck. Have a pair of running shoes stowed under your desk so you won't have an excuse not to exercise. If you have a dog or children who need to burn off some energy, get them outside with you as well. 

For the busy professional, who may not have time to pack a healthy lunch in the morning to bring to work, eating right may take a back seat to convenience. Consider keeping some healthy snacks in the fridge at work, such as baby carrots, celery sticks or pita chips, along with delicious low-fat dip, rather than ordering out. Your wallet will thank you for it. Another idea is to use a meal replacement powder, such as PGX's Weight Loss Formula, available in delicious French vanilla, very strawberry or double chocolate flavors. All you need is water, and you have a filling, nutritious and guilt-free lunch time treat. If you'd prefer a smoothie, bring in a drink-sized blender to work and try SlimStyle's Weight Loss Drink Mix, available in double chocolate or French vanilla. 

If you find it hard to get yourself motivated to follow an exercise program, consider adding some form of dietary supplement to keep your weight loss goals on track. Priority One's Weight Loss Energizer capsules come in a vegetarian-friendly formula, with Siberian ginseng, gotu kola and guarana, all known for their energizing effects. The natural stimulants in cocoa, theobromine and tyramine, combine with green tea and yerba mate in Atrium's Weight Loss Maxi Softgels. And, if you're not a big fan of herbal stimulants, consider Enzymatic Therapy's Naturalean with 7-keto capsules that increase your metabolism but won't keep you up past your bedtime.