Health and Fitness Question of the Week: losing body fat

Health and Fitness Question of the week:

“There is so much conflicting information out there today with exercise and nutrition I don’t know what to do. Do I do short bursts of high intensity activity or long periods of cardio if I want to lose body fat?”

This is a good question that could spark a thesis because there is really just so much to the answer. This is because of all the variables that present when you are dealing with individuals, who are all so unique. But here is the short answer which I think will put you on the right track.

If I was to put the big four factors for successful fat loss in order of priority I would focus on them like this.

1. Get your mind right. You must have the right attitude to get into the habit of exercise and eating right. Goal setting is a big part of this.
2. You can’t out train a bad diet. Optimal nutrition is vital to success. This may simply entail reducing portion sizes or cutting back on alcohol. Try this first. If you feel you have tried everything I would see a nutritional health practitioner for an individualised program taking into consideration possible food allergies or sub optimal organ function (e.g. thyroid).
3. Lifting weights is non-negotiable. The powerhouse of your metabolism is your muscular system and without work in this area you will only ever have a slow running motor which means you don’t burn much fuel.
4. Do cardio training for heart health and to burn excess calories.

If you follow this path you should be right. It is the simple things which usually work so don’t forget to look to the obvious first.