1. No Marathon Necessary
In Phase 1 of the Best Life Diet, Bob Greene asks you to up your physical activity. Phase 1 is about getting moving a little more than usually do. If your current exercise consists of walking to and from the fridge, then the good news is you don't have to radically change your lifestyle. Try taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work. Park at the back of the lot and walk to the store entrance instead of scouring the parking lot for a "good" parking space. Just adding a few extra steps each day can help you on the path to regular exercise and weight loss.
2. Invest in a Pedometer
A pedometer tracks the number of steps you take in a day. Bob Greene suggests a pedometer as a way to gauge your activity level and work toward increasing it. He divides people up into six categories, from level 0 to level 5. People at level zero don't go beyond the necessary steps to get them from point A to point B, amassing around 3499 steps a day or less. At the other end of the spectrum, people at level 5 workout vigorously six times week and average around 18,000 steps per day. Everyone else falls somewhere in between. In order for the Best Life Diet to work most effectively, you need to exercise. Working toward a higher fitness level can help you have a clear goal and keep you motivated.
3. Add Strength Training
Many people trying to lose weight focus solely on cardiovascular activity. Cardio exercise such as jogging, elliptical machines or brisk walking burns calories, helping you slim down. However, strength training builds muscles, and muscles use more calories than fat and help keep your metabolism going. Strength training also makes you stronger and more able to increase your cardio workouts. If you have never picked up a dumbbell in your life, don't worry. Bob Greene incorporates strength training exercise at level 3 of the Best Life Diet, so you can work your way up to it. Before you start any strength training regime, be sure to talk to your doctor first. It is also a good idea to have a personal trainer or gym employee show you the correct way to lift weights, so you don't inadvertently injure yourself.
Member Comments