Losing weight once you reach your 20s has its own set of challenges. You may no longer have that metabolism that can melt off fries and shakes in 20 minutes. And new jobs, new friends and lots of socializing can all present roadblocks healthy living.
Altanta trainers know these challenges first-hand, but they also know ways to combat them. Here, two area trainers share their secrets for losing weight in your 20s:
Elmore McConnell, We Train Atlanta
A personal trainer and business owner, McConnell earned a B.S. in exercise science from Mississippi State University and grew up eating the kind of Southern cooking that can derail the best weight loss plans.
His first strategy for those in their 20s is simply to make the time to lose weight. "If you can make time for a few hours of TV each week, you have enough time to get your body back in shape for life, too," he said.
He also said, "Try to work out in the morning before your day gets started," McConnell said. "That primes your body to burn off more calories throughout the day. We call it a 'morning burn.'" Plus, an early morning workout also gives you a sense of accomplishment that can inspire good habits the rest of the day.
If you're in your 20s and new to the city, McConnell suggested making it a point to make some new friends or joining a group that includes potential workout buddies. "Many more people follow through with their workout commitments when they have other people depending on them to get fit," McConnell said.
Those who are new to the fitness journey in their 20s should be careful not to burn out. "Start off by doing 20-30 minute workouts," he said. "The smaller the obligation when you have so many other demands on your time, the easier it is to stick with exercising. Work up your tolerance."
As for the food portion of weight loss, McConnell's top tip is to eat small portions of brightly-colored foods throughout the day to keep your energy up and your calories burning. "And never skip breakfast," he said. "That's the meal that kickstarts your metabolism."
Brandi Lein, Georgia Personal Training in Roswell
Lein is a personal trainer in a 24-hour gym in Roswell and a formidable boot camp instructor a few times per week.
Her top advice: focus on sprint-type cardio workouts, not long-term cardio workouts. "Try to go as hard as you can as long as you can," she said. "The higher your heart rate gets up, the longer you will burn fat afterwards."
Lein recommended this approach on just about any equipment, including elliptical, treadmills, and even recumbent or upright bikes.
"It should be hard to carry on a conversation while you're doing this," she said. "You shouldn't be able to talk on your phone during the workout."
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