How To Be A Social Butterfly Without Gaining Weight

You love going out for nights on the town, partying with friends and being a social butterfly with a packed calendar. You are also trying to lose weight, get in shape and improve your health.

Are the two desires mutually exclusive? While your teacher will want you to watch yourself as you dine and even avoid wine, you don’t have to become a shut in as you work on a program. There are simple tips and tricks that can help you stick to your guns and still have the time of your life.

If you want to lose weight and still paint the town red, consider:

• Seeking support before you go out- Talk to your teacher, your spouse or the friends you intend to go out with and let them know you want to have a great time without suffering a weight loss setback. Your teacher can motivate you before you head out and your spouse or friends can provide you with the support you need to say no in the heat of the moment.
• Not skipping meals before going out- Many people believe if they skip meals throughout the day, they can eat whatever they want while they are out on the town. While this sounds good in theory, it doesn’t work. Starve yourself until the evening and you’ll be more likely to splurge on anything that is available immediately upon arrival. Plus, you can slow down your metabolism, which is not good for weight loss. Instead of fasting and then binging, eat small, calorie-controlled meals and snacks leading up to a big event so you can enjoy a normal meal and even treat while you are out.
• Avoid the nibblers- If you’re at a dinner party, try to avoid the appetizers, especially if they are high in calories and fat. It is all too easy to let a bite of this and a bite of that add up to a whole lot of empty calories! Wait for the salad and the main course instead.
• Order wisely- If you’re eating out in a restaurant, take time to really consider the menu options. Go for an entrée that fits in best with the nutritional program you are following. Most restaurants have very healthy and very tasty alternatives to calorie-laden entrées.
• Be the designated driver- One of the worst things you can do while trying to lose weight or tone the body is to overdo on alcohol. If this is too much of a temptation, give yourself extra motivation to behave. Volunteer to be the designated driver and you’ll have two very good reasons to say no.

 

Going out on the town can be very difficult when you are trying to drop pounds and get into shape. Restaurants and parties present a lot of temptations. You can stay strong if you plan ahead and formulate a game plan. Ask your teacher for additional advice or staying strong in the face of adversity.
About the Author

Conni Ponturo is the owner of The Absolute Yoga & Pilates Studio in Woodland Hills California.  If you ready to begin your weight loss journey please call 818-226-0695 for your complimentary evaluation.  Get ready to move more and change your life.

Fun Aerobic Ideas

If you think beneficial aerobic activity is limited to hours at a gym working out on a treadmill, think again! Exercises that produce excellent cardiovascular results abound and they don’t all call for equipment or even a trip to the gym.

While regular trips to work with a teacher are always smart, there are some fun things you can work into your routine on off days, when you are away from home or just don’t have time to make the trip. Chances are if you talk to the pros at your fitness center, you’ll even find your club has lots of options to offer that you might not have even considered.

To vary your routine and increase your enjoyment level, consider mixing up your aerobic exercise lineup with such things as:

• Cycling- Get a bicycle, a helmet and hit the open road. Stationary bikes do produce results, but the scenery can get boring fast! If you want to work cycling into your routine, it’s a great exercise that can even benefit your entire family. On off weather days, by all means, use the gym equipment. When the sun is shining, hit the open road for more enjoyment.
• Swimming- This is one of the best holistic cardiovascular activities going. Swimming works the heart and lungs while also toning the muscles. If you don’t have access to a pool at home or in your neighborhood, take advantage of your health club’s if one is available.
• Skiing- This is a great cardiovascular activity that can be a ton of fun, too. Cross country is the way to go to build up endurance and boost muscle tone and calorie-burning efforts. If it’s not possible to take the activity outdoors, cross country training machines are fun to mix into an overall cardio program. Check with your trainer for advice on getting started.
• Sports- There are many sports that can serve very well in place of more structured cardiovascular exercises. Tennis, basketball, football, boxing and even baseball are fun to play and they can most certainly add diversity to your workout routine.
• Dancing- Just get up and dance if you want to work your cardiovascular system and have some serious fun, too. Thirty or so minutes of moving to the beats of your favorite songs can really get your heart pumping and assist in cardiovascular conditioning.
• Taking a class- Boot camp classes, dance classes, Zumba and other organized activities can increase the fun of cardio exercise and even add to the camaraderie level.

While exercise machines will get the job done, a successful exercise program is one that offers room for flexibility for fun. If you want to increase the variety in your program, talk to your trainer for other fun ideas to mix things up a bit.

About the Author

Conni Ponturo is the owner of The Absolute Yoga & Pilates Studio in Woodland Hills California.  The premier Yoga and Pilates studio in Woodland Hills.  She has been teaching Pilates for over 11 years and in the fitness business for over 20 years.  Come in for your free evaluation to discuss your fitness goals.