Starting a weight loss journey? While doing the hard graft is essential, the tools you use can make a huge difference – and they don’t have to be at a gym!
Here are 5 items that can help you on your journey.
1. Free weights
Having a collection of free weights at home is an excellent place to start! They’re inexpensive, effective and can be stored in a cupboard or box under the bed.
Most importantly, regularly working on your strength has been proven to accelerate weight loss and help burn more calories.
Check out 12WBT Fitness Lead Tim’s suggestions for what to purchase:
- 1 good-quality barbell
- 1 dumbbell set with adjustable weights (from 500g up to 2.5kg)
- 2 lots of 5kg free weights
- A 6kg or 8kg kettle bell
2. An accountability tool
This is an important one. By tracking your progress and keeping an eye on the changes your body is going through, you’re much more aware of what’s working for you – and what isn’t.
The TomTom Fitness Tracker is a favourite of the 12WBT team. It can measure your body fat and muscle-mass percentage, tracking your actual fat loss. It makes stepping on the scales a thing of the past.
So, if you hit the dreaded weight loss plateau, you’ll know straightaway. You can then modify your exercise to increase that fat burn and lean muscle build.
Click here to find out more about the TomTom Fitness Tracker.
3. A properly-fitted sports bra
Sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s amazing how many people start on this journey without a supportive sports bra.
Make sure you get properly fitted by an in-store expert. There’s nothing worse than wearing the wrong bra – in fact, you’ll be more reluctant to workout altogether if it’s painful!
4. A skipping rope
Skipping is one of the best ways to burn calories quickly. Did you know 10 minutes of skipping burns over 100 calories?
Most sports stores will sell good-quality skipping ropes for less than $30.
Also read: How to Set Up a Home Gym
5. A great pillow and mattress
Yes, you read that correctly – we’re telling you to invest in a good night’s sleep!
Having a sleep deficit is one of the fastest ways to derail even the best-laid fitness plans.
A lack of sleep is linked to a slowing metabolism, decreased fat-burning abilities and energy depletion. In other words, you can’t out-train a bad night’s sleep.
So get the bedroom basics right and you’re halfway there!
