Get A Lean Physique With Improved Muscle Tone and Less Fat

Achieving a proportional weight for your body is less about the numbers on a scale and more about vibrant health and total well-being.  The tips provided in this article can help you reach your healthy lifestyle goals.

1. Begin a well-rounded fitness program, incorporating aerobic and weight-bearing exercises. Aerobic exercise is incredibly important to enhancing cardio-pulmonary fitness, burning fat and increasing stamina. Many dieters forget the weight-bearing exercises which are integral to developing longer, leaner muscles that promote flexibility and foster long-term weight loss.

2. Rely on snapshots, not just the scales, to track progress. Watching the scales move up and down has defeated many a dieter when serious progress was actually being made. Take snapshots of your entire body - front and side views - to uncover the total picture of progress. Lean muscle weighs more than fat, so your scale may not show changes week to week, but changes in your body will be readily apparent.

3. Incorporate more lean protein and fiber in your diet, but minimize the refined carbohydrates. Lean proteins come in many forms, including lean meats, low fat dairy and supplements like soy and whey protein powders. Push yourself to get the 25 grams of recommended daily fiber intake through whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Limit your intake of sugar and refined "empty" carbs that offer little nutrition. Instead, focus on foods like brown rice, whole wheat pasta and legumes.

4. Support groups can be a wonderful asset to your diet program. You cannot underestimate the value of a good support system when you are making significant lifestyle changes. Family and friends are very important, but there is no substitute for a community of like-minded persons plowing the same path that you are. Support programs offer you insight, meal and snack ideas, and help to hold you accountable to yourself when you might be faltering. Local support groups exist in most communities but good options also exist online.

5. Consider taking a high quality multivitamin to enhance your nutrition while dieting. You will be placing a lot of demands on your body, so you want to be certain you are getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy.  Additional supplements such as calcium and fish oil may also be appropriate after consultation with your physician.

Utilizing the information presented in this article, along with your own common sense, will soon have you on the path to losing weight and achieving a healthier and happier lifestyle.