Writer / Coach Roz Harris
Weight loss and fitness challenges are exciting because they’re fun, mix things up and keep you focused on a specific goal. They increase awareness and open the doors to better health.
But not all challenges are created equal, and some challenges can be counterproductive to your health goals. If you’re going to join a short-term challenge this summer, here are five types of programs to AVOID when you’re trying to lose weight.
1. Avoid challenges just focused on working out. Any approach to wellness, better health and weight management needs to include nutrition, lifestyle changes and fitness.
2. Avoid challenges that don’t include sound nutritional resources. Diets are like zombies: dead but they keep coming back to life. Ditch diets and join a program that showing you HOW to eat healthy every day.
3. Avoids challenges not focused on revving your metabolism. Weight training done right and smart cardio are the 1-2 punch that ensures you’re NOT wasting your time when you exercise and actually creates the FOUNDATION for a healthy metabolism. Studies show that when you add just five pounds of lean body muscle, your body burns 200 MORE calories each day. That’s revved!
4. Avoid challenges that don’t show you how to make lifestyle changes. For example, the Free Day Concept is critical. It’s a bad idea to workout every day, and it’s a bad idea to be on some eating plan or cleanse for extended periods of time without short breaks.
5. Avoid challenges that lack solid accountability. If you fall off, will anyone notice? Join a challenge that wants you to succeed and will provide support to make that happen.
Comments 5
Coach Roz,
I really enjoyed the article. The free day concept is such an integral part of my lifestyle change! The accountability is such a key component to success!
Thanks, Michele
Great tips – thank you, Coach Roz! Often times, we start challenges because they are new or we know someone else who has success with them. This is a great reminder that we should engage in activities that help us reach our specific goals and offer a good mix of health and nutrition.
Excited to see more posts from you!
Great article! 5 lbs of lean body muscle burns 200 more caloies each day! Now that’s motivating!
Great read, and great tips thanks for posting this!
I couldn't agree with Roz's 5 tips more! As a personal trainer myself, I teach all of these to my clients as well. Coach Roz said it well with #2 especially. We don't 'diet' like our mothers did growing up, we live a healthy lifestyle so we can live longer & enjoy it. Great article Coach Roz!