Losing Weight for Outdoor Enthusiasts
Dieting Tips for Anglers, Kayakers, and Backpackers
Maintaining one's weight throughout the chilly season is a tough prospect. Even some of the most diligent athletes gain a few pounds during the winter months. But for safety reasons, and for a stellar first outdoor endeavor, it's important to be as light as possible on those tootsies.
Here are some healthy, tried-and-true methods for dropping some pounds before dropping into the rivers and hitting the trails.
Increasing the Heart Rate
There are a thousand ways to exercise and get the blood-motor pumping. But walking and jogging have bona-fide benefits.
- Walking and jogging are free outdoor activities
- No gym fees or equipment to purchase (other than the shoes)
- Nearly everyone can walk or jog
- The heart rate while walking briskly and jogging is optimal for fat burning
- Walking can be a family activity, so kiddos can get in shape too
- Walking and jogging exercises the entire body
However, don't purchase walking shoes for walking. They tend not to last. Instead, try a high-quality running shoe and they'll last two seasons instead of only one.
Walk or jog at a brisk pace for at least 40 minutes, and preferably and hour or more. Get a sweat going and maintain it for over thirty minutes. Studies show exercising for 20 minutes or less is relatively ineffective.
Altering Eating Habits
One of the best ways to drop weight quickly is by lowering or eliminating carbohydrates after lunch. Carbs translate into energy, and the human body doesn't burn as much late in the day and when asleep.
Learn the difference between simple and complex carbohydrates and stay away from empty calories. These are foods with lots of calories but very little nutrition, like doughnuts, chocolate bars, chips, and soda.
For proteins, stick to tuna in water, fish, and poultry. They're lean, and the fishes contain healthy Omega 3's. Ground turkey and good cuts of lamb are extremely healthy substitutes for beef, and when cooked properly, it's difficult to tell the difference.
Eat nothing after 6:30. Dinner should be light portions, and eaten between 5:00 and 6:00 if possible. This will give the digestive system ample time churn before retiring to bed when the metabolism slows.
For breakfast and lunch, eat light yogurt and fresh fruits, such as bananas, apples, oranges, berries, as well as fresh veggies. Eat as much fruit as you like. Perhaps a whole grain cereal could replace the yogurt three times a week, but sticking to this part of a healthy diet will do wonders for the waistline and the energy level.
H2-Oh Yeah...Drink Water
Don't forget to drink water, and lots of it. It will not only flush the system, but many times, hunger is often mistaken for a lack of water in the system. It's the most critical element for a healthy lifestyle.
Putting on the backpack or the waders for the first time this season doesn't have to feel like wrestling a half-filled waterbed mattress. Many outdoor athletes gain weight. Try these healthy tips and feel invigorated.
Healthier Foods and Beverages
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