De-Stress for Weight Loss
Posted by Jeanne M. Schmit, Pharm. D. on Thu, Nov 11, 2010 @ 08:13 AM
De-Stress to Accelerate Weight Loss
Do you ever eat because you're tired and need energy and feel stressed? You will make much better eating choices when you're feeling happy, content, and rested. Remember, 80% of weight loss is due to diet.
A stressed and exhausted body will not get the great benefits from exercise. Come to your classes rested, hydrated, and properly fueled to get the most from your class.
Consider the ways you expose yourself to unnecessary stress and make a few changes...even one change makes a difference!
- Experience the world and see time slow down. If you're continually on your iPhone, computer, e-mail, computer games, Facebook, tv or radio, turn it off and experience the world, other people and yourself. Use these devices ONLY to enhance your life, not avoid it.
- Listen to your body in your exercise classes and ask yourself what you really need. Understand the difference between 1) "not feeling like exercising but your body DOES have the energy, and 2) truly NOT having the energy and what you really need is rest/sleep).
- If you find yourself tired and exhausted most of the time, take classes such as Pilates Mat, yoga, BODYFLOW, restorative stretch and core fusion. These classes will give you needed exercise without overly stressing your body.
- Sleep more if you need it. Most everyone does. Feel the difference when you're well rested. Lack of sleep will not help you lose bodyfat.
- Watch your thoughts and words. If you find yourself complaining or irritable a lot, go deeper and ask why. If you're unhappy, look into it and make changes. Take responsibility for the outcomes in your life. If you keep doing what you're doing, you'll keep getting what you're getting.
Try this eye-opening and life enhancing game:
- Pretend you have 3 million dollars (or so).
- Write down what changes you'd make in how you spend your days. The point is to come up with how you would live your life if money was not an issue. Be honest and ask yourself REALLY what you would do to bring you the most happiness. Avoid going hogwild on a spending spree....really be honest about what would truly make you happy.
- Look at what you wrote and ask yourself which of these things you could start doing right now (even in a tiny way to get started). Not in a grand spending spree fashion, but seeing how most of those things are possible without having large amounts of money.
- You may find that you thought money was holding you back from doing the things you love. When you look deeper, it's almost never about money.
- Notice if you feel a sense of energy and excitement when you do this exercise. If you do, keep going....you're headed in the right direction!
This exercise is what helped me start teaching fitness classes when I had two young children at home and a full time corporate job with travel. The exercise also led me to ballroom dancing when I had no partner and no money to pay for lessons.
Let me know what you find for yourself. Share it in the comments below!
Jeanne