by Mel Rodriguez

Created on: December 02, 2009   Last Updated: December 03, 2009

A new year is rapidly closing in on us and with that comes the resolutions of losing weight, getting fit and eating right. These are noble virtues that have plenty of enthusiasm and purpose on the outset but seem to fade as the progress is not seen and the regimens are unsustainable. Trying the same things that don't work causes this; they're just packaged differently.

The key is to understand the science behind what professional athletes; fitness athletes and bodybuilders do to attain their fabulous physiques. The standard school of thought that most people use goes as follows:

Stop eating

Start a workout regimen

Deny yourself any and all foods you enjoy

Work out even harder

Eat even less

This is a recipe for failure. The biggest reason for this is that this type of lifestyle in not sustainable. The body requires fuel to work, so reducing your intake drastically will hurt more than it will help. In the beginning there will be weight loss but it will be more muscle than fat. Denying any pleasures in the realm of food creates the binge syndrome. Then trying to workout harder without the proper nutrition can cause injuries, which can finally derail any success, gained during this type of regimen.

Feeding the muscle to burn the fat is how athletes, bodybuilders and fitness athletes reach their fitness goals. Food can be your best friend in the battle of the bulge. Understanding the correct proportions of macro-nutrients and eating multiple times during the day will not only keep you satiated but also raise your metabolism to burn the food you eat and keep you fueled up for your workouts.

Balance is also crucial in your fitness plan. All resistance training with no cardio is not optimal vice versa all cardio with no resistance training can be counterproductive. At the end of the day the word diet is a foul four-letter word. The word itself infers that there is an end to the regimen. This is a lifestyle change and your nutrition plan should be geared towards being healthy and fit. Reward yourself with cheat meals two or three times a month to quell cravings by satisfying them.

The road to resolution can be navigated and maintained if done in a scientific, thoughtful and rewarding manner. Knowledge is power, educate yourself, be fit, be healthy and happy for the rest of your life.

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