Weight loss is just a math equation, right? Burning more calories than consumed will equal weight loss, and ultimately a trimmer, more toned figure. Working out is necessary for getting in shape. While true, this weight loss truism overlooks an important, if not the most important, aspect of getting into shape and losing weight: healthy diets.
Healthy Eating Combines With Working Out for Weight Loss
Working out is a obviously an important part of losing weight. But many times those wanting to get in shape will go to the gym, work out for an hour, then go home feeling justified in their fitness program and will reward themselves by eating food that is not healthy, Maybe this is because after working out it is easy to mindlessly eat any food or maybe it feels legitimate to eat that bag of chips after a run through the park or finishing a difficult fitness program. After working out, a couple of cookies might sound better than an apple.
While working out is completely necessary in any weight loss effort and and is vital to getting in shape, there are considerations to keep in mind other than how many calories were burned during a stint on that elliptical machine. For true weight loss, healthy diets must be combined with working out.
Healthy Eating Tips to Keep in Mind While Achieving Weight Loss
Healthy eating can be easy to overlook, when it is assumed that calories burned cancel out calories consumed. When trying to lose weight or live a healthy lifestyle, it is important to keep in mind which foods are consumed can have a large impact on a successful fitness routine.
- Healthy eating does not involve simple carbs, for the most part. Keep in mind how many simple carbs are eaten in a day. Think of bread for sandwiches, muffins at the coffee shop, the crackers for an afternoon snack, or the bagel that was breakfast. Weight loss will be more easily achieved if whole grains make up the carbohydrate portion of meals.
- Weight loss efforts can be easily sabotaged by consumed empty calories through liquids. Many times sports drinks have a higher sugar content than needed and are simply unnecessary calories. In the July, 2005 article entitled "Sports Drinks: Winners and Losers" Dr. David Katz, ABC News' medical contributor, says that elite athletes might need sports drinks, but not the average person working out. Katz says that drinking plain water is the best way to hydrate and aid fitness routines.
- Healthy snacks should be a typical part of the day. Before that slice of coffeecake at the office becomes too tempting, or that fast food restaurant seems like an easy fix for an empty stomach, think twice. A piece of string cheese and an apple many times is all it takes to make it from lunch to dinner, or try a handful of nuts and a banana. Healthy eating choices between meals make a big difference in a weight loss routine.
Working Out is Vital, but Healthy Eating is Also important for Weight Loss
There are many benefits to exercising. It produces endorphins and the after-workout glow. It helps tone the body. It improves the mind and strengthens the heart. Getting in shape and losing weight also have the benefit of boosting self-confidence. Weight loss is difficult, if not impossible, without working out.
However, too many times the most important part of getting in shape – healthy eating – is lost in the program of simply working out. Getting in shape is an enjoyable activity, but for true weight loss, a fitness program must not overlook the importance of eating healthy foods as well.
Sarah Sandifer - Sarah Sandifer is a freelance writer, a teacher, an Army Wife, a home decorator, an avid cook, and an athlete. She loves teaching high ...
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