Are You Sick Of All The Fake News About Getting A Beach Body?
This election year has certainly brought on a lot of talk about fake news. With the election year over and the new year under way, this is the time of year the fake news that disturbs me comes out. Weight loss “gurus” pop up everywhere talking about how you can “drop 10 pounds in 3 days” with their secret plan (total bullshit!). Others say “getting the beach body you’ve always wanted is as simple as ever following my secret program” (total bullshit, again!)
as you can see the ads make me pretty crazy. I know from my own experience that there is no magic in getting fit and even more importantly, staying fit. But what is fit for one may not be the same for another. The best shape for you more than likely will not be the same for another. I first ran into this in college when I was boxing in a local boxing gym (real gym with a ring that we used, not aerobics classes). I can remember two guys I trained with daily, doing the same routines, same ab exercises, everything. Over time, one one of my friends developed six pack abs while the other had more of a four pack. Me? Nothing! My stomach was flat, I looked and felt great but never a muscle appeared in my mid-section. Same with my calves. We all jumped the same amount of rope yet I could never get the muscle, diamond looking calves others were achieving. Why? Genetics. Everyone has their own unique body composition which comes from our heritage. This certainly does not mean you’ll never be getting a beach body, it just means you will have the best body you can have.
Stepping On The Scale
While some will say you should never weigh yourself, I strongly disagree. I think it’s important to stare at the number regularly. There are things you should be aware. First is the composition of your body. Remember, around 60 percent of your body is water weight! When you first start dieting you will lose weight quickly if you are overweight. A scale cannot tell how much of your weight is muscle and how much is from fat. Some people have naturally bigger bones so they may be heavier than a small boned person. This is because muscle weighs more than fat. When you start exercising, it will not only help add more muscle (good weight) but also increase bone density. After a month if you aren’t dropping the weight like you thought, keep in mind you could very well be adding good weight! Instead of getting discouraged, look in the mirror with your shirt off. See new muscle? How do your close fit? Loose is good! If you do not weigh what you had hoped, do not see new muscle and your clothes are not looser, be honest with yourself. You have to do a better job following your program or try a new one if your goal is getting a beach body.
Plan On Being In This For The Long Haul
There are many other forms of checking body fat, BMI calculators, Body Fat Calculators, Basal Metabolic Rate. In this day of the internet, the list is endless. Personally, I only use a scale and I do not need to use it very often. In fact, I use it more out of habit than anything. I can tell what I am going to weigh before stepping on the scale, give or take a pound or two. This is because I have been living the same simple type of fitness lifestyle for many years now. The truth about getting a beach body is you have to find a program that works for you. It should involve eating things you love, have a large amount of daily protein, lower carbs, very little sugar and as few processed foods as possible. You should also include some type of exercise, weightlifting, strength training, resistance training. When I was going through boot camp in the Marines we never lifted a weight. We did run 3 miles daily, followed up with sets of pull ups, push ups, sit ups and more bends and thrusts then I can remember.
Be sure to moderate intake of junk food and alcohol. Cooking meals and exercise will lead to getting a beach body easier than you think. Your overall health and energy will improve too!
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