How Diet And Fitness Work Together

By: Michelle Bery

Most of us have been at a place in our lives where we are
struggling to regain our physical fitness. The accumulation of a
few - or many - pounds over a few years, a sedentary lifestyle
spent sitting at a desk, and a chaotic schedule that has not
allowed much time for ourselves have all contributed to an
unhealthy body. But for those of us looking to right the wrong
and get healthy, there can be no greater connection between diet
and fitness.

Overall health comes with a strong body that is being fed
nutritiously and is physically active. Most of us understand
that in order to lose weight and get healthy we must combine
diet and fitness through a concentrated and consistent
implementation of a healthy food plan and exercise regime. There
is no way around this formula; for all the magic diet pills and
get healthy quick schemes - it all comes down to this simple
combination. And if you ignore the combination then you will
ultimately fail at achieving long term health.

To begin a diet and fitness regime you must first know where you
are starting. Begin with your food intake and look for ways on a
weekly basis to begin eliminating those food groups that are
contributing to weight gain and an unhealthy lifestyle. Many
people, when embarking on a new diet plan, will eliminate
everything right away, and while this may hold up for a few days
or even weeks, eventually that person will go right back to
their old eating habits. The key word here is "habit" and in
order to establish a new habit you must do it slowly. For the
first several weeks focus on removing those food groups that are
high in saturated fat, or greasy, fried foods. Begin adding more
fresh fruits and vegetables and lean proteins into your diet.
Following this, begin to eliminate those items containing sugar
including products made from white flour. Instead, introduce
products that contain whole grain or wheat. Move towards a diet
and fitness program that focuses on whole, natural foods and
avoids any food that is processed in any way and is therefore
likely to contain sugar and preservatives.

A diet and fitness regime must also account for physical
activity and this should be moved into gradually as well. Begin
by incorporating small amounts of physical activity into your
daily life - taking the stairs, taking short walks, stretching
in the morning - and build from there. Work towards a consistent
and weekly regime that includes cardiovascular exercise - such
as walking, running, and aerobics; stretching and core work -
such as yoga or Pilates; and weight training - such as the
lifting of free weights or the use of machines.

If you proceed gradually and begin to take control of your life
through food and exercise, you will soon find that your diet and
fitness regime has paid off in weight loss, increased energy,
and overall health.

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