What’s the best exercise for losing weight?

 Throughout my 25-year struggle with weight I did all kinds of exercise: 

• Bootcamp 
• Running 
• PT sessions 
• (Lots of) cardio 
• Yoga 
• Hot Yoga 
• Aerial Yoga 
• Body combat classes 
• Body pump classes 
• Circuit training 
• Spin classes 
• Aerobics 
• Aqua aerobics 
• Kettlebell workouts 
• Stair running 
• Martial arts 
• HIIT training 
• Strength training with weights 
• Strength training using calisthenics 
• Tennis 
• Softball 
• 12 week challenges 

So which of those was the best for losing weight?  

HERE’S WHAT I LEARNED 

All of them can contribute to weight loss, but rather than thinking about losing weight, it’s better to think about why you want to lose weight.   

The reason you want to lose weight will help you decide what type of exercise you should select.  

Do you want to lose weight because you want to: 

• Be fit throughout your life 
• Play sport and live an active life 
• Have greater flexibility and mobility 
• Be strong, confident and active 
• Travel now and throughout your entire life 
• Have the energy and fitness to join in fun activities with friends and family 
• Have freedom in mind and body 
• Be self-sufficient and have physical autonomy 
• Be able to get up off the floor  
• Have the freedom to choose your lifestyle 
• Live free in a happy healthy body 

“A person who does not think and plan long ahead will find trouble at his door.” 

~ Confucius 

 
WHAT I WISHED I HAD DONE  

I wished I’d thought about why I wanted to lose weight rather than simply how can I get rid of the weight.  

I wished I’d thought about what my body needed, not what I wanted it to do.  

I wished I’d listened to my body and not my ego.  

“The smallest change in perspective can transform a life.” 

~ Oprah 

WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT? 

When we look around us we see both ends of the scale: people on social media who seem super fit and super human, and we see family, friends, colleagues and our community who not only aren’t  looking after themselves at all but they’re doing things that put them on a trajectory to the kind of health that they won’t enjoy.  

What do you think your current trajectory is? What do you need, or even want to, change?   

Is what you want related to achieving long term sustainable exercise habits that lead to: 

• Flexible 
• Mobile 
• Strong 
• Confident  
• Independent 
• Active living until you depart this great earth 

If what you want is anything to do with being fit, healthy and active throughout your life, including all the years that most consider to be “old age”, if you want to still be living an active independent life, review what you’re doing and make the course corrections you need to make. 

“One’s destination is never a place but rather a new way of looking at things.” 

~ Henry Miller 

FITTER AT 58 

I’m fitter at 58 than any other time in my life because I now: 

• Listen to my body 
• Do exercise and movement that strengthens, lengthens and calms it 
• Work with my body instead of trying to manipulate it   
• Feed it natural food and vitamins (not synthetics) 
• Stretch my body and keep it supple and flexible 
• Allow my body and mind to rest and replenish 
• Provide fun activities that both my body and I love doing 
• Enjoy plenty of outside time  
• Laugh and play more  

“Some people want it to happen, some wish it would happen, others make it happen.” 

~ Michael Jordan 

Exercise should connect your mind and body, that’s how you create sparkling health and fitness. 

You find your freedom when you stop telling yourself that you hate exercise or that you don’t have the time and instead take that step forward and make a conscious decision to develop your Personal Health Leadership™ mindset and skills.  

When you do, you take back control of your weight, health, happiness and ultimately your life.  

Are you on track? Do you need help to get you from where you are to where you want to be? Give me a call, let’s just get this started this week.