Lose Weight With Commitment, Smart Choices

Maybe you’ve packed on a few pounds this winter. Or perhaps you’ve noticed that you just don’t have the same energy level you used to have. The first step, as you probably already know, is to exercise more. But with the amount of information out there regarding the “best” exercise plan, your good intentions could be thwarted before your first squat or lunge.

“Diet is 85 percent of your weight,” said Matt Michels, a certified trainer at the Grosse Pointe Athletic Club. “Exercise is a supplement for that.”

So your first look should be at what you eat. Are you eating too much? All the squats in the world won’t counter that Sanders hot-fudge sundae with extra whipped cream or that weekly indulgence of five slices of   pizza and their amazing bread sticks.

While you’re getting your food choices and portions under control, think about what type of exercise you like because, after all, the best exercise is the one you will actually do.

“I say that all the time,” Michels said. “And you shouldn’t exercise for more than an hour at a time. Otherwise it starts to be tedious, or a chore. You should enjoy what you’re doing.”

The point is to be active. If swimming is your thing, then swim. If walking is your favorite activity, then walk. Mix in some strength training to help build your muscles (which helps burn more fat), and–barring any major health issues–you will be successful. But while experts such as Michels can provide you with the information and tools you need to drop those pounds and get healthier, ultimately, the motivation needs to come from inside you.

“If you’re not motivated, you’re not going to do it,” Michels said. “You have to be motivated. Trainers like me can help you once you’re here. But we can’t go and grab you from your house to bring you here. Like quitting smoking, you have to want it.”

As one of the most brilliant marketing campaigns ever launched stated: Just Do It.