We've made it through Christmas and are quickly approaching the end of 2009 and even the end of a decade. With the beginning of each year come those New Year’s resolutions, whether in a brief thought or a more deliberate plan. What’s interesting is that we seem to choose the same topics when we make our list, like family, finance, career, character flaws, and life goals. And every year weight loss, health, or fitness becomes one of our main targets to resolve.
While it’s obvious to most that proper diet and exercise are the master keys to realizing our weight loss, health and fitness ambitions, there are other things we can do to ensure we succeed this year, 2010.
Success Begins with a “Reality Check”
First we can be more specific with our weight loss, health and fitness goals and write them down. But before we can be clear on what those goals are, a personal assessment is a must. Every smart and successful person who truly wants to improve significant personal areas of their life—the development of character, relationships, spiritual life—or who wants to see progress in more pragmatic areas—career, financial, and time management—will always begin with a thorough evaluation of their current condition. It is no different for anyone who wants to transform his or her bodies into a lean, firm, healthy, and more functional machine.
This brings me to that dreaded body fat test. When you’re serious about reducing fat, the most important thing to consider is not your total body weight but rather what makes up that weight. This is referred to as your “body composition”, which is a combination of your lean body mass (LBM) — muscle, bones, organs, and water — and your body fat. Your own ideal weight is the weight at which your lean mass and fat mass are combined in the correct proportion for health, wellness, and aesthetics. When you are in shape, you have a proportionally higher amount of LBM and a lower amount of body fat, regardless of what you weigh.
Due to the fact that your body weight can fluctuate anywhere from two to ten pounds in a given day, bathroom scales will only make you crazy. They are best used once per week and under the same conditions (i.e.; early morning, on an empty stomach). Also, traditional weight scales can’t differentiate between how many pounds of LBM or fat are on your body, which is more relevant to health and fitness than what you weigh.
Article comments
1 - Christine
Thanks Brian, and Happy New Year. May 2010 be the best ever!
2 - Christine
LOL, guess I'm not thanking anyone anymore.
3 - Cindy
Do you mind if I interrupt you while you are talking to yourself, Christine? ;-)
Happy New Year, Christine. :-)
4 - roger nowosielski
Same here.
5 - Christine
LMAO, there was a comment on there by a Brian. But now it is gone...go figure. Happy New Year, Cindy and Roger.
6 - Brian aka Guppusmaximus
Yup, my comment was erased. I had asked the editor to erase the spam post above mine about someone's "Fried Chicken Diet" book that was for sale. I believe it was Mr. Buckingham who obliged my request,so, I thank him.
So,again,Excellent Article Christine!!
This was very informative and it wasn't filled with the trendy propaganda that most of these "Healthy" articles I read on BC have. It really did touch upon the core factors!
Thank You & Happy New Year!!
7 - Christine
Oh, thank goodness you showed up again, Brian. I'm sure Roger and Cindy thought I was going nuts. But then again, they already think I am, in a nice way of course.
That's what happens when you spend too much time on BlogCritics.
8 - roger nowosielski
I never thought of you in those terms, Christine. Just can't figure (yet) your conservative bend given what little I know about your (humble) beginnings. (that was in jest, just sounded right.) But as I said, we'll get to the bottom of it one day.
9 - Christine
Thanks Roger, and I was just jesting too. xo
10 - miinus.org
You and I both know that the last thing the World needs is another fad diet, Wonder Pill, or as-seen-on-TV exercise gadget you will never use. For those of us who are trying to take off a few pounds, the "how" isn't the difficult part - the "doing" is. What you and I really need is a regular dose of encouragement and accountability that will motivate us to keep going after the initial enthusiasm wears off.
11 - food
I wish I really have the discipline to eat the proper food. When i was young and wanted to lose weight, what I did was exercise every night and eat a little portion. Lol, I was about 10 years old that time. however, I can seem to get taller. I am only 1.65m. Sigh. Shouldn't have been mentally matured at 10 years old.