From burning on the beach to burning the fat again

Posted by Caroline Innes on August 1, 2007 3:54 PM

SO after weeks of being sensible about what I eat and upping my training in preparation for baring all beachside in a bikini, I am now back from my jollies and my motivation has disappeared.

What has appeared in its place is a small paunch created by too much sangria, San Miguel and sitting on my backside.

It would seem that I have a unique ( and rather impressive) capacity to rapidly gain weight and this week after giving myself a stern talking to have decided to shake myself out of holiday mode and take matters into hand...... before it is too late!

Like many I too will struggle to get back into that healthy eating and exercise regime and mentality after enjoying doing nothing but lie in the sunshine and eat out night-after-night.

It is tough to get back on track but I know the longer that I leave it the tougher it will get.

I would rather be faced with losing a couple of pounds now than a couple of stones in six months time so those excuses of starting next week or after Saturday night’s barbecue are just not going to wash with my conscience.

I have seen clients who after weeks and weeks of hard work and commitment to getting fit, spend two weeks eating and drinking on holiday and give up.

They never get back on track and it breaks my heart.

They put off getting back to the gym because lets face it it is not - and never is going to be - as much fun as eating and drinking with friends in the sunshine!

However, exercise should not be something that we just do in the run up to our holidays or a special occasion - it should be something that is as much a part of our daily routine as cleaning our teeth.

As readers of this blog know I believe exercise is key to maintaining a healthy weight.

I believe we should all be able to enjoy that pool side ice cream or beach bar burger guilt free, knowing that we will burn calories and get our hearts pumping later on.

The real issue in battling the bulge is that we are not doing enough physical activity.

Although we consume 750 calories less a day than previous generations, we burn 800 less as well, and this lack of activity is why our waistlines are expanding.

In recognition of the valuable role physical activity plays in combating obesity and increasing life expectancy, England’s Chief Medical Officer, Sir Liam Donaldson, has recommended that adults take 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week, with children and young people taking 60 minutes.

On the surface, this seems simple enough, but it does not represent the whole picture.

Indeed, Sir Donaldson acknowledged this when he pointed out that most people would need to exercise for between 45 and 60 minutes a day to prevent obesity.

People who have been obese and lost weight may have to increase this to between 60 and 90 minutes exercise each day, simply to maintain their weight!

Sounds depressing doesn’t it?

But what is more depressing is the thought of losing all that new found fitness, energy and self esteem that training can create after just a week in the sun.

So if like me you are dealing with the post holiday blues ....and bulge, go for damage limitation. Ditch the excuses, grab the bull by the horns and get active. DO IT NOW!

The sooner you start the easier it will be..... and you will still have that sun tan to show off too!

• add or read comments (0)

• Post to:
•  del.icio.us
•  Digg
•  Newsvine
•  Nowpublic
•  Reddit