5 Weight Loss Tips That Work

You have been exercising faithfully for months.  Your have been fueling up on healthy foods.  You get plenty of sleep and your stress levels are low.

But no matter what you do, you just don't seem to be making any progress in your weight loss journey.

As you may know, I prefer to focus on balance and moderation rather than weight loss.  However, I am a realist.  I know that losing fat is a big motivating factor for many of you.

I also know that you have probably have tried every trick in the book to shed those last few pounds.

Well, here are a few weight loss tips that are safe, easy and actually work.
(Just remember to check in with your doc before you make any changes. :)

Women's Fitness Q & A: Weight Loss Plateau and Knee Weakness

On Facebook and Twitter over the last few weeks, I asked you to ask me any questions you might have about women's health and fitness. Today, I am going to tackle a few of those questions in the next overdue installment of...

Q: Why when you are losing weight do you plateau? I have lost 10lbs and now I have been holding at the same weight for 2 weeks.  What can I do to break this? - Shannon

Awesome Abs, Part 1

Here is one of the most frequently asked questions I get from my clients:

How do I lose the love handles and get awesome abs?

For the record, these are not my abs :)

Why You Are Not Losing Weight

I am a realist.

Even though our focus should be on feeling better and getting healthy, I know that many of you focus on one thing:  weight loss.

We have all been there and that is okay.  Weight loss is an important goal for many people and I would like to think that the process of losing a few pounds will help get you closer to feeling better and getting healthy.

So here it is. You are eating right, exercising, but your body isn't changing at all.  What is going on?

Here are a few reasons why the scale won't budge.

Pilates For Weight Loss

Many of you know that I teach pilates.  Well, I bet you didn't know that pilates can help you lose weight!

Well it can, and here are a few reasons why:

1. Muscle Burns Fat

When you practice pilates you are building lean muscle tissue. Having more muscle increases our metabolism and a higher metabolism = more fat burned!

2. Inhale. Exhale

Proper breathing is a vital part of any pilates program. When you learn to breathe better you get more oxygen into the body. The muscles need O2 to function, the body needs O2 to burn fat...you see where I am going here...

3. Sleep Easy

Practicing pilates regularly will help improve the quality of your sleep. The more rested you are, the more efficiently you can perform daily activities (including exercise). The more efficient you are, the more calories your burn...are you starting to see a pattern?

4. Smile
Pilates improves mood, decreases depression and increases energy levels. The happier you are and the more energy to have, the more energy you have, the more exercises you can do...I think you are getting the picture :)

5. There is no "Magic Bullet"
Pilates will help you in your quest for weight loss, but you have to make many lifestyle changes to get results.  This includes a healthy diet and cardiovascular activity.

Do your do pilates? What are some of your favourite exercises?

Stay Healthy,

Tracy