If you are gaining weight, there's a good reason. There seems to be a new reason reported every week explaining why we are gaining weight and getting fat.
Sedentary jobs have been listed more than once as one of the main causes of weight gain for many people. There's one problem with that theory: many people have "sit-down jobs" and are very fit and lean.
And, there are many people who work on their feet who are very overweight. So, its not where you work that determines whether you will or are gaining weight.
With regards to fat loss and weight loss, YOU largely determine how much you will weigh. There are medical and genetic exceptions to this weight gain rule but that's a subject for another article.
Research suggests that weight cycling large amounts of weight (losing and regaining 50 pounds or more) has serious health implications, such as heart disease.
The primary reason for your weight gain is a caloric surplus. You will gain weight and fat if you consistently eat more calories than you burn. This theory is not outdated, despite what some say. Its important to eat the right types of foods for nutrition and health. But, you will also gain weight if you eat too much of the healthy foods.
Try to stand as much as you can during the day and take walking breaks to activate your fat-burning enzymes. Any activity is good to go along with your regular workouts. All movement burns calories.
Don't blame your job if you're gaining weight. Make changes to your exercise, eating and lifestyle habits. These are the primary keys to burning fat and keeping the weight loss off.
Slow Your Aging Process
Note: Many of these steps will also help you to not gain weight and body fat.
1. Eat the right foods. Practice the good habit of eating the macronutrients: proteins, healthy fats and good carbohydrates.
According to WebMD.com:
From your brain to your bones, what you eat matters. So help yourself to some age-defying foods.
"What you eat makes a huge difference in how you age and how you feel," dietitian Manuel Villacorta says.
"Even your skin will stay younger-looking if you eat right," says Allison T. Pontius, MD, an expert in anti-aging and regenerative medicine at Williams Center for Plastic Surgery in Latham, NY.
Some foods that slow the aging process are apples, blueberries, strawberries, plums, cherries, cherry tomatoes, broccoli, spinach and tea. These foods have plant chemicals, called polyphenols, which are important antioxidants. They help prevent diseases such as cancer and heart disease. These foods also limit the damage of free radicals in our bodies and slows aging. These foods also keep you fuller for longer on very little calories.
2. Take the necessary dietary supplements because you won't always eat perfect. Most people will take a multivitamin. Fish oil and probiotics are also on many people's list. Consult with your doctor.
3. Drink plenty of water every day. Your body is two-thirds water and your cells and metabolic processes work right when you're properly hydrated. If you feel thirsty, you are dehydrated. Drink half your weight in water every day. So, if you weight 180 pounds, drink about 90 ounces of water each day. Unsweetened drinks, like green tea will work also.
4. Don't drink sugary drinks. These deadly dudes cause dangerous belly fat and disease-causing inflammation.
5. Drink alcohol in moderation. Excess alcohol drinking promotes body fat storage (especially belly fat). Long-term excess drinking ages you and can cause death.
6. Don't smoke tobacco. The dangers of smoking are well documented. And, it ages your skin in a bad way.
7. Sleep deeply 7-9 hours every night, when possible. This helps your body operate the way it should. Sleep debt will age your body faster for sure and cause other medical problems. Your body also produces growth hormone during deep sleep. Growth hormone helps you burn fat and build muscle mass.
It pretty simple but sometimes hard to do: take care of your body with consistent healthy habits.