The Perfect Combination

Diet and exercise.

We hear it on TV, in magazines, from friends, family, and our doctor. We hear it all the time.

If you want to lose weight or just lead a healthy life, you need to combine diet and exercise. Well, the reason we hear it all the time is because it’s true! It’s important to do a lot of things to stay healthy, but the most important steps for good healthy weight loss are diet and exercise.

Why do we need diet AND exercise? Think about it this way…What would happen if a boxer went into the ring with one hand tied behind his back? If he’s really good, he may still win, but he’s definitely at a disadvantage. Most of us aren’t pro’s at dieting or exercising. We should take all the steps possible to give yourself the best chance at success.

If your goal is weight loss, you’d have to cut out 3,500 calories from your diet to lose one pound. That’s 500 calories per day. That doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you actually put it into practice, it’s harder than you think. Plus, eating less can make some people’s metabolism slow down so they still don’t lose weight. In comparison, jogging at a moderate pace can burn 740 calories per hour! Working out builds muscle mass and burns up more calories while you’re just sitting around.

If exercise is so effective, why not just work out and skip the dieting? Well, dieting isn’t just about eating less food; it’s also about eating the right foods. If you get the proper nutrients, your body will work better and your exercising will be more efficient. You’ll feel stronger, and be able to work out longer.

When starting a diet and exercise plan, remember to start with small steps. Tell yourself that you’ll work out 3 days a week, or eat fruit instead of a fatty snack once a day. Be sure to concentrate on what you are accomplishing and not focus so much on what you’re not. If you do more gradually, you’re sure to be lean and healthy in no time.

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