To avoid gaining back the belly fat you just so painstakingly worked to get off, you’ll need to embrace two key fitness principles: consistency and diversity. If you’re confused by these opposites, don’t worry. Just remember to diversify your fitness routine on a regular basis.
Consistency
Just because the scale is pointing in the right direction doesn’t mean you can lay off the workouts and take a break. You need to maintain a consistent fitness routine in order to continue burning off an adequate amount of calories to keep your metabolism revving and your body in shape.
This means going to the gym three to five times a week and working out for thirty to sixty minutes each time. Remember to include both cardio exercise (running, biking, swimming) and strength training (using free weights, your body weight or the machines in the gym).
A great way to consistently exercise is to sign up with a team or league. You can join a running group, take tennis lessons or find a local softball team. The knowledge that other people are expecting you will keep you showing up for each appointment. The excitement of competition should help stave off the boredom that can too easily crop up with a stagnant gym routine. Hiring a personal fitness trainer may also give you the reason you need to consistently show up at the gym.
Diversity
While it is important to be consistent about fitness, you also need to diversify your routine in order to challenge your body and keep yourself interested so you don’t plateau.
This means increasing the speed, distance or resistance of your aerobic workouts. Once your body gets used to running a mile, it will become more efficient, and therefore you will lose fewer calories doing the same amount of work. To keep the calories burning, you may want to pick up the pace during that mile, start running a mile and a half or pick a more challenging course to run (bring on the hills!).
Make sure to also diversify your strength training routines. Try to use all the different machines at the gym (even the ones you don’t like). In addition, add more weight as your body becomes accustomed to a specific movement or machine. Don’t forget to add free weights or to do body exercises (like pushups, crunches and squats) every once in a while.
If you are a runner at heart, try throwing in a swim or a bike every now and again. Changing up your routine will challenge your body in new ways, increase your physical strength and aerobic stamina and keep you engaged in your exercise routine.
As long as you remember the two opposite – Consistency and Diversity, you will keep your fitness on track and your weight right where you want it to be. That belly fat will be gone for good.
