If you've been frustrated by efforts to be true to your New Year's resolution and lose weight, this month offers the perfect opportunity to re-evaluate your strategy. It's no accident that diet and activity share the spotlight. Both are required for a healthy lifestyle, and both influence weight. Consume fewer calories than you use, and you will lose weight. You can start by monitoring the food you eat and tallying your caloric intake.
Portion control is also key.
According to statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans have increased their average daily caloric intake from 1,854 calories to 2,002 over the past two decades. That equals an extra 148 calories per day, which adds up to an extra 15 pounds per year if left unbalanced by an increase in physical activity. So get off on the right foot this month with the following leg curl exercise, which strengthens the hamstring muscle group on the back of your thigh. Begin by positioning yourself on all fours. Extend one leg straight behind your body, and gently touch your toe on the floor.