By: Dr. Terry Weyman
While watching the news the other day, CNN was reporting that the government was lowering the weight limit to allow insurance to cover obese surgeries, such as the “lap band”. What! Have you read about the side affects of these surgeries? When did Americans become so lazy or complacent that we cheer when our government passes bills such as this? When we make a big purchase such as a car or a house, we do our research and weigh the pros and the cons. We only get ONE body, yet we don’t cherish it or care for it as the most Valuable asset you will EVER own. If you have ever watched “The Biggest Loser,” you know that even those diagnosed with severe medical conditions can lose weight with changes in diet and exercise. Now even though this show is unrealistic to the average person, it still shows you don’t need any magic formula except eating the right foods, the right amount and burn the calories to achieve what you want, which is weight loss.
Anyone can come up with excuses why they CAN’T do something. What ever happened to our American fight on getting things done? Instead of coming up with excuses on How you CAN’T lose weight, lets learn HOW to get it done. It takes the same amount of energy or time to eat incorrectly as it does to eat correctly. So let’s look at some tips that can help YOU make 2011 a great year. The number one RESOLUTION is for people to “get in shape”, “get healthy” and to “lose weight”. No offense to Jenny Craig or other Pre Managed Meal plans, but lets face it, these are programs designed to just help you LOSE WEIGHT the quick and easy way. I spoke to some experts to help you achieve your goals of True health for 2011 and beyond.
According to Fitness expert, Rob Yontz of True North Fitness in Ventura, today obesity problems can be stemmed to how our society has become fast-paced and looking for “quick satisfaction”. “It is this emotion that marketers and “fast buck Eddies” play off when they market simple, myopic solutions such as pills, potions, powders, and yes, surgery. I find it sad to see so many waste their money, emotion, and time on false solutions which are not founded in solid science” states Yontz. “The solution is actually quite simple in nature; scientifically it is rather simple to produce a state in the body that will produce fat loss. But simple does not equate to “easy”. It takes a change in what you are doing for your lifestyle”
One of the first things you must do, starting right now, is stop making excuses! You have to trust yourself before you can change your life. Your body will do what your mind tells it to do. According to our own CSI Certified Athletic Trainer, Geraghty Berntson, there is no secret weapon, but relearning common sense. “First things first, don’t eat more than you are going to burn off, Period.” States Berntson, “It’s important that people realize that weight loss isn’t a phase or diet. Weight loss needs to be a lifestyle adjustment. It goes beyond buying prepared meals. Yes, those will make you lose weight, but once you return to your old habits the weight will come back. The same is true for surgical fixes. Lifestyle changes take time and patience, but pay off more in the long run”. According to Rob Bolton M.S., ATC, CSCS, Director of Operations for the Elite Performance Factory in Westlake, “Pre-packaged weight loss meal plans may seem like an easy way to modify ones diet for weight loss but the limitations make long term success unrealistic. Most of these pre-packaged plans require the user to keep the food with them throughout the day and limit the option of real food. It is far more empowering to educate clients on how to eat as this knowledge travels with them wherever they are. I don’t know many clients willing to go out to a meal with friends and family and rather than ordering from the menu they just have a meal replacement bar. This does not provide for sustainable results.”
What is comes down to, is to live a great life, to have fun and achieve your goals. Take these tips and actually put them to use, don’t just talk about it, or TRY, but as NIKE states, “JUST DO IT”. Fitness Coach Rob Yontz has given you these simple, yet challenging tips. You want to lose weight? Follow these. You want to make it to the podium for the first time? Follow these. You want to avoid getting sick and living a healthier life? Follow these!
1. Get your mind straight – it is possible to accomplish and it can be rather simple depending on where you are starting. The mind is powerful, so expect to get to your goal.
2. Think about and visualize where you want to get to, write it down and keep it in front of you. (yes it sounds corny but do it).
3. Food is your bodies energy source. You don’t put bad gas in a race car do you?
a. Eat breakfast every day.
b. Eat something about every 3 hours throughout the day.
c. Every time you eat, have a very lean protein and vegetables.
d. Drink water, about half to two-thirds your bodyweight in ounces
e. Eliminate the liquid calories, energy drinks, and sodas
f. Eat natural, whole, seasonal foods most of the time (most = 90%)
g. Limit your carbohydrate starches to post workout and breakfast
h. Choose things your great grand ma had options to choose.
4. Exercise effectively (effectively means in a manner that will produce fat loss)
a. You need to be active daily.
b. You need to exercise at least 3-4 time weekly (for most people, walking is not “exercise”. When you walk for exercise you should be winded and not be able to talk.
c. Strength training will produce these results.
d. Energy system training will aide these results combined with strength training.
e. Jogging will not produce these results (yes I know many will want to argue this point, but my experience and the science does not back it up)
5. Make sure to measure your progress, and be patient and allow time for the change. The body is a living organism, not a linear change device. You did not get into the condition you are in overnight. It will take time to get into a healthy state.
6. Make sure you allow for enough rest and recovery.
7. Get a Coach – you need a qualified professional in the health field who does this type of work so that you can do what is appropriate for you at the time. Ask for references and testimonials.
So start 2011 with a BANG. Don’t just TRY it, or give it your best shot, this gives you an out. Do as NIKE says, JUST DO IT. Change is hard but focus on the prize, aren’t you worth it? Your back, knees, and heart will thank you.
Dr.Terry Weyman is the owner of Chiropractic Sports Institute. www.gotcsi.com
Thank you to the fitness professionals who helped in putting this article together
Rob Yontz at www.True-North-Fitness.com, 805.650.1239
Geragthy Berntson at CSI Westlake www.gotcsi.com 805-371-0737
Rob Bolton www.elite-factory.com 805 494-4464
