By Sandy Braz
 Spend time with Fido
Sure,
having to walk your four-legged friend will get you moving
and burning calories, but there’s more to it than
that. Studies show that having a pet helps relieve stress,
a major contributor to your expanding waistline due to
cortisol – the hormone released into your bloodstream
in response to a fight-or-flight situation. Getting out
with your furry companion is a great way to get a double
dose of fat-fighting activity.
Sign up for a fundraiser
Committing
to participate in an event that supports a worthy cause
is a great way to get you training, fundraising and
shedding fat all at once. Try a national event like the
Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the world’s
largest
5K run/walk. This event, which runs locally in various
cities across the US, raises funds for breast cancer
research.
Enter a fitness event
It's
all about setting goals. Consider training
for a fitness competition in your city; that extra
push
could help you keep your eye on the prize. It could
be
just the motivation you need to shed those last 10
pounds.
Check out local gyms or community centers for events
in your area.
Have a potluck makeover
Host
a potluck dinner and invite friends over to reinvent
high-fat entrées into clean, nutritious versions.
Need a little inspiration? Check out Tosca
Reno’s
Eat Clean Cookbook (Robert Kennedy Publishing,
2009). The latest edition – in hardcover – is
loaded with nutritious takes on classic favorites like
burgers, chili, fajitas, pasta dishes and dessert (yes,
even crème brûlée!).
Test a new fitness class
Most
gyms include group fitness classes as part of your membership
fee, so take advantage of what’s available to
you. Experts
say trying new forms of exercise and varying your workouts
will help keep you motivated to reach your weight-loss
goals. Just one aerobics class can burn up to 350 calories
per hour*!
*Based on a 130-pound woman
|
