When you imagine walking into your gym seeking advice on nutrition there is probably one place you would think to start: the personal training desk. The typical conversation you might have in mind might go something like is… “Hey just have a few quick questions… how I can lose 10 pounds into two weeks!?” From the trainers perspective this a the type of question that makes them cringe. With so many contributing factors to weight loss, it would be impossible for a trainer to reply to this client with an educated answer without having any prior history of their workout habits, lifestyle choices, and genetic makeup.
In a recent article I read, “6 Key Factors that Predict Weight Gain,” the authors noted that two-thirds of the U.S. population is obese, and heart disease is the number one cause-of-death in the U.S. They then went on to explain six factors linked to these epidemics.
The factors listed were:
1. Dietary Food Choices
2. Sugar Sweetened Beverages
3. Sleep Deprivation
4. Watching TV
5. Effect of Alcohol
6. Effect of Inactivity
While these six factors are all different there is one commonality across the board: they are all choices. Therefore, holding ourselves accountable for the actions we take is the key factor in weight loss and gain. If we cut out our processed food intake and substitute it with fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts for at least 5 days a week, we would be putting ourselves at an advantage. If we eliminated all artificially sweetened drinks and replaced it with the daily recommended value of water (men- 3 liters; women- 2.2 liters) then we would not rely on alternative beverages. Sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body, especially when training to manage weight loss and control. Neurologically and metabolically, 9 hours of sleep per night is ideal for the average adult. Another weight gaining factor Americans have a hard time with is promoting more activity in our daily lives rather than exclusively in a gym setting. By making simple changes such as choosing to take the stairs as opposed to elevator, or choosing to walk or cycle to the gym as opposed to driving can make a drastic difference. Finally, monitoring our alcohol consumption is paramount to weight gain and is linked to self control. By making the choice to not drink to the point of inebriation, we would be taking the proper steps to a healthier way of life.
All of these factors of unhealthy living plague our society everyday. However, with the knowledge we have gained about becoming proactive about our lifestyle, we can turn things around. Consciously thinking about they way we live our lives and the choices that we make with our health and fitness will make an impact not only on our physical appearance, but our overall health and wellness.