Why One Pound per Week is the Perfect Fitness Goal
By Genevieve Cunningham
Losing weight. It’s tough! Many people find the process of losing weight incredibly discouraging. It’s a slow process, and even though you make goals for your journey, many of these goals are never met. If this is you, don’t be discouraged. Dropping pounds and improving health is a lifelong process, and aiming for goals that are too lofty might actually keep you from sticking with it. Take a look at why you should aim for losing one pound per week in order to keep the motivation alive.
Quick Weight Loss Doesn’t Last
While seeing a quick weight loss is definitely encouraging, it generally doesn’t last long-term. Why? Because quick weight loss is often tied to temporary changes in diet or the shedding of water weight. Losing one pound per week means that you’re attempting to lose actual fat. Your diet and exercise routine are more likely to be consistent with this goal in mind, and consistency is the ultimate key in losing weight for the long haul.
One Pound is Achievable
Aiming to lose five pounds per week will not work. While you may be able to starve yourself into this, it’s unlikely that any real weight loss will happen. As soon as you return to your normal routine and diet, the weight will come back. But aiming to lose one pound is something that can actually be achieved. It may not seem like much, but it’s a goal that can be met. And meeting goals helps you to stay motivated and moving in the right direction.
It Gives Your Body a Chance to Adapt
Have you ever seen pictures of those people who lose massive amounts of weight really quickly? Often times, the rest of their body doesn’t have time to catch up. This leaves them with extra skin. Losing slowly gives your body more of a chance to tighten up the skin, meaning you’ll have a higher chance of avoiding the phenomenon.
It might seem like an incredibly slow process, but the truth is that losing weight should be slow. Slow and steady wins the race, especially in the world of health and fitness. Aiming for goals that are unattainable, or worse unsustainable, can actually hinder your chances of ultimate success. Stick with a goal of one pound per week, and win the long race of a healthy body and life.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Worth, Fla.