Walk Right to Fitness 

When you walk for exercise, swing your arms rhythmically to boost your metabolism and bend slightly forward from the waist. Keep shoulders back and chin up for better balance. Lead by pushing off on your heels rather than the balls of your feet.

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Question of the Week

Question: 
I exercise every week. Monday, I do soccer aerobics and triple challenge; Tuesday, jogging and salsa; Wednesday, sometimes a rest day or Bums and Tums; Thursday, triple challenge and then off to a salsa club afterwards to party until 12 midnight; Friday, aerobics and then party on through the weekend; Sunday, step aerobics. I also do your stomach crunches and use a thigh master at home. 

I do a lot of classes and I am pretty fit, but my eating habits are not much to be desired. I love my red meat. At least four times a week, I eat chicken and mutton. I don't eat salads at all (no taste.) That is a trait I got from my Dad who doesn't eat fruit or salads. I force myself to eat fruit on a daily basis. I am, however, a total lover of eggs and eat them every other day, the yoke being my favorite part.

My goal is to lose inches rather than weight. I never weigh myself. I'm trying to lose inches around my thighs and on my stomach, so that I can fit into my size 12 jeans (British.)

My question is: Could my exercise program and eating habits be changed to benefit me better? 

Answer: 
It sounds like you answered your own question. You can improve your eating habits. And how about that 'partying?' By that we assume that includes drinking alcoholic beverages and maybe eating junk food. This may be your problem area.

Your exercise program sounds good and certainly sufficient. In order to lose inches, you must lose weight and reduce calories. Exercise alone will not do it if you continue to eat indiscriminately. You don't have to eat foods you hate such as salads. But you got that from your dad? Give us a break! Unless you're still a child, it's time to develop your own healthy eating habits. Don't blame it on your dad. Or maybe the dog ate all your good resolutions.

All joking aside, there's nothing wrong with red meat or eggs, for that matter, unless you have a high-cholesterol problem or a cardiovascular problem. See your doctor to make sure. Here is where discrimination and judgment comes in. We suspect you already have that or you would not be reading our Health & Fitness Tips Newsletter or writing to us. 

Here are our suggestions: 
1. Continue your exercise program but step up the intensity of the aerobic (fat-burning) exercises.
2. Reduce intake of red meat to twice a week. Cut all fat off lean beef and lamb. Remove skin from chicken and eat nothing fried.
3. Reduce egg intake to three times a week and prepare them boiled, poached or scrambled with Pam or very little oil. 
4. Eat fresh vegetables cooked if you don't like them raw, such as carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, green beans, peas, beets, kale, brussel sprouts, baked potatoes etc. Try and buy fresh produce in season as it has more flavor. Steam it for a short time and add herb seasonings.
5. Keep up your fruit intake daily and use juice to supplement if you prefer.
6. Watch the 'partying' and what you eat and drink at that time.


Check our Health & Fitness Home Page for more health tips on exercise and weight loss and just plain healthy living. And let us know how you're doing. Good luck.

The HFT Staff

NOTE: If you would like to see your question featured here, please submit to: questions@health-fitness-tips.com

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