There are numerous training facilities out there as well as different types of workouts and all of them are great…in their own way. They provide an intense workout, help you lose weight, and keep you coming back. While being at a healthy weight appears good, we need a lot more than that. Oftentimes, people lose weight but don’t develop any muscle mass or core strength, to speak of…two things that are essential in maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
Heard the term “skinny fat?” The Urban Dictionary defines this as “a person who is not overweight and have skinny look but still have a high fat percentage and low muscular mass.” Typically, these individuals have a low-calorie diet and perform cardio workouts which makes them thin but lacking muscles.
In past decades, people didn’t have to spend time working out because many were performing “blue collared” labor. And even those that had “desk” jobs were still more active than we are today. When they arrived home they didn’t spend time on the computer or phone, they did more active things such as playing outside with their children, yard work, or taking a walk with the family. But let’s be real, technology has changed this for us and we must adjust our lifestyles to accommodate our new way of working.
Working out is the solution that we have found. Moving our bodies is essential to our overall well-being. But moving our bodies efficiently is even more important. Workouts should include cardio, strength training, core strength, and flexibility. While most people already know they should maintain a healthy weight, increasing muscle and core strength, as well as flexibility, should be additional focus points. Muscles are what will keep your body moving as you age and they help to maintain your best posture. The less muscle you have, the more your body will give into gravity as you age.
So, start by kicking skinny to the curb! Don’t let the scale or the size of the clothes determine for you what is healthy. Eat a sensible diet, find a workout that includes cardio, strength, and stretching, and change your mindset.
Are you looking for a program that teaches healthy habits instead of dieting? Take action today!
Author: Jennifer Salama of Optavia.
Jennifer is the co-owner of a martial arts and fitness studio. She has embraced the Optavia program and incorporated it into her business as a tool to help her clients achieve a healthy lifestyle.