Exercise

[MsLeadn]

Does anyone know any good tricks to sticking to a diet and exercise routine long term? I know this is like a million dollar question, but alot of people do pretty well. I always slack after a couple of months.

[crazyzoo]

the only thing I only found I could stick with was a long brisk walk it also clears the mind good luck you have to enjoy your workout no matter what you do or you just wont stick to it.

[bungholiotgn]

It can be easy short term, but long term is where it gets you. You have to have huge self motivation to make yourself continue to stick to the diet and exercise. For me, I had a gym membership for a year. I used to go 3 times a week, but slowly went less and less until the last month I never even went. I just made excuses I guess because I was going to work and school at the same time. It can be hard to balance everything in life as well as exercising.

[jaymz462]

You have to want to do it.  It's all about self-motivation.

[lovekittytam]

Just avoid sugar if possible and pop. Eat foods that are high in fiber. Stay away from greasy or fatty foods. Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day. This will be very healthy and help you lose weight.

[MessiahMews]

We like Zumba and strength training.   When it's nice outside and they're not spraying chemtrails, then we bike ride.

For weight loss troubles check into Leptin Resistance.  Alot of people can't lose weight with exercise, and it's because of Leptin Resistance.  The hypothalamus gland needs to be reset.  The Pituitary gland also would need support to produce the HGH growth hormone.  Thyroid needs to be working along with optimal pancreas function.

Hormones are mainly responsible for successful weight loss.  Look up Jack Ruse and Leptin resistance on the internet.

A clean diet, of course is always helpful.  Organics and raw veggies and fruit, right supplementation, and clean water (chlorine and fluoride-free).  A Paleothic type of diet, and Westin Price nutrition.  Stay away from processed and man made foods.

[amaravee]

I have tried Zumba for 2 weeks and after a week or so, I began to see a difference in my body!
I recommend trying Zumba, it's basically dancing, but you're working all parts of your body

[twol]

What about a work out buddy? I know when I start to slack, my work out buddy gets me up and going again We stay pretty consistent. 

[demaina]

Get a partner to go with you (possibly someone you live with) cause then you can sorta push each other on the days you want to slack off.  Plus, it gives you someone to talk to during your exercise so you don't become bored.  A good friend can be a great partner cause you can go for a walk during lunch or something and talk about whatever then instead of over drinks (or appetizers like my friends do).

Also, try changing up the exercise routine every once in a while.  I know if I go biking a few days in a row that I'll start to get bored halfway through.  So, if I go rollerblading instead, it's a different sort of exercise so you treat it differently.  Don't be afraid to do things like Zumba or Kinect games as well.  I used to play DDR when I got home from school.  Did it work all my muscles?  Probably not, but it did something, and that's what matters.

Figure out what relaxes you.  I love water so swimming in a pool relaxes me.  Try to do that thing every once in a while like a reward

One great way is to sorta force it into your schedule.  One of my sister professors did bike races, so he started riding his bike to school instead of driving.  When I was young we would do a family walk right when my dad got home and we would always go for a mile or so. 

[Gerianne]

Thanks for reminding me.
I printed a few exercises [ yoga and others] I found from health magazines a few years ago.
I turn the pages each day and do a different exercise on a daily basis.
I just do 5 minutes. [computer work break]

I keep a bouncing ball in my cupboard and when I am doing something in the kitchen, I pause afterwards, take the ball out and bounce it a few times.

[ninajay]

I think that you have to remind yourself everyday about the results of doing the diet and exercise, whether it is to trim down or to just get healthier. Schedule time in advance to exercise so there is no excuse for you not having time. You should also find an exercise routine that you may enjoy doing. Exercise doesn't have to boring.

[Abrupt]

You must find your own motivation.  I found that for myself when I was body building/strength training that it was best for me if I challenged myself a little each session (after an introductory routine).  I trained with fairly heavy weights (for me) and went to positive failure in my normal routine (would train 30 days with a targeted routine then take a week off followed by a two week session of basic heavy lifts and start a different 30 day targeted routine).  Because of my method of training it was easy to set goals, such as add a quarter to a half a pound to the weight I was using (this was done after I was able to meet or exceed my targeted reps with a given weight on a given exercise) or increase my reps by one more rep.  Using this method it was easy for me to see positive results and set goals and gain the reinforcement from knowing that I was improving.  The bad part of this was recognizing and dealing with over-training as there could be a few weeks or even a month where my reps would fall back and I would have to recognize what was going on and either jump back to a basic routine or take a few weeks rest or some other adjustment and not let myself fall victim to the mental aspect that such an occurrence can cause.

I know many people train and just follow a motion with nothing to gauge their progress by other than 'feel'.  This may be fine for some but I could never hold to such a routine.  You need to find a way to measure your progress and use the results to mentally reward yourself and prompt additional enthusiasm.  This should be something small and realistic and consistently measurable.  If it is an attempt to lose weight, it is difficult to simply use a body weight measurement as these can vary by quite a few pounds on a daily basis and if you incorporate any training that prompts muscle growth you can even increase in weight while losing body fat and never be aware from a scale of this.  If you do more aerobic exercise you can include a short wind/sprint point and simply try to add a few seconds to that duration every week or so and you can even measure it by how soon you really feel stress of the fatigue from the effort (best to track your times and put yourself up against a clock you can see and thus go for that extra one second every week).

Whatever you choose, remember, if you cannot measure your progress how can you really know and push yourself.  If you don't have a goal then why are you doing this.  Also remember that if you push yourself too hard you need to be able to recognize this and adjust all the while keeping your motivation.

[Shandara09]

I started jogging last year, and I've stuck to this longer than any other exercise plan that I've done.  I think what helped me stick to it, was that I signed up for local 5k races, and then I felt like I had money on the line and had something to train for.

[alishaxmarie]

I'm not allowed to post links but I have an app on my phone to calculate my caloric intake as well as how many calories I burn from exercising and I think knowing how much you really eat helps you stay healthy in the long run. Both apps that I've tried have full websites with forums and whatnot, one is called my fat secret and the other is my fitness pal. I also found that I love yoga and belly dancing so having activities you love really helps too! Good luck in your endeavours!!

[healthfreedom]

I don't neede to diet. I can eat anything I want. My metabolism just keeps me slim. However, I need to exercise more than I do.