Don't cut your calories too far

Your body goes into starvation mode if you do that which isn't what you want. 1-2lbs a week is the most you should be looking to shift. A pound is equivalent to about 3,500 calories for most people. But you should be looking to move more (thus burning more calories and raising your metabolism) while controlling your nutrition, rather than eating as little as possible.

If you don't do much exercise start light and build up - a brisk walk a few times a week is good enough for a month or two and take it from there. You don't need specialised equipment. Or whatever else works for you. Don't try to be the hero or to run hard seven times a week if you're not used to exercise. A bit of walking for a few weeks is surprisingly effective and you'll only injure yourslef if you go too hard too soon.

I run to keep fit - when I started I weighed over 16st and couldn't run a whole mile without stopping. A year later I ran five whole miles and felt like quite the athlete. A year after that I ran my first marathon...the thing I love about running is the only kit you need is decent shoes (the shops will try to sell you all manner of other s**t but really you don't need it) but it's whatever works for you. My wife loves to swim, for example. I'm almost three stone lighter now and much fitter and happier (I've had mild to moderate depression on and off for years but running really helps keep that in check - it's a great mood lifter). Because I run quite a few miles a week I can eat more or less what I want and not worry about it. Works for me but as I say something else may work for you.

Definitely worth doing though.

Posted By: Old Man, Sep 5, 11:56:09