{"id":519,"date":"2008-05-20T05:00:03","date_gmt":"2008-05-20T09:00:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/shape-up-your-body-shape-up-your-life\/"},"modified":"2013-08-16T13:14:04","modified_gmt":"2013-08-16T21:14:04","slug":"shape-up-your-body-shape-up-your-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/shape-up-your-body-shape-up-your-life\/","title":{"rendered":"Shape Up Your Body, Shape Up Your Life"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Many of us are carrying a few extra pounds. Perhaps they\u2019ve crept on gradually over the years, perhaps they\u2019re the \u201cFreshman 15\u201d, or perhaps they\u2019ve been present since early childhood.<\/p>\n

It is easy to get complacent. Okay, we know we could do with losing that extra weight, but the thought of dieting and exercise just seems like too much hard work \u2013 it\u2019s not going to make much difference, is it?<\/p>\n

Since my late teens, I\u2019ve lost nearly a third of my body weight (50 lbs). The knock-on effect on the rest of my life has been dramatic, and if you\u2019re carrying an extra 10, 20 or 50 lbs, you too could gain all of this by losing them:<\/p>\n

Instant Confidence Boost<\/h2>\n

For those who are naturally shy or awkward in social situations, being overweight makes things far worse. Do you covertly glance around a group of friends or colleagues to see if you\u2019re the largest person in the room? Do you struggle to find outfits that flatter your figure \u2013 and resort to shapeless clothes which hide as much of you as possible?<\/p>\n

Whether you just want to blend in with the crowd, and not stand out as bigger than all your friends, or whether you\u2019d like to be the center of attention for once, feeling good about your body is a direct shortcut to build your confidence<\/a>.
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More Energy<\/h2>\n

Carrying around an extra 20lbs is like lugging a heavy rucksack everywhere with you. If you feel tired and lethargic, and if you often procrastinate over things you want to get done, being overweight may be the root cause.<\/p>\n

I have every sympathy for overweight people who struggle to exercise \u2013 the more you weigh, the harder it is. But every pound you lose will make it that bit easier, and being more active has a huge host of benefits:<\/p>\n

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