Author of “50 and Fit” – It’s Time to Lose That Weight!

Photo: Jack Redmond

By Jack Redmond

As a pastor I have dreams of traveling and sharing the gospel across the world when I am 80 to 90 years old! But over the past 10-15 years, I had been slowly and steadily gaining weight, losing energy and I could feel my body getting weaker. I currently do ongoing ministry work in India and Nicaragua and want that to expand, in those countries and others. For this to happen, I knew something needed to change!

The reality was that I was so spiritually focused that I had neglected my body. I knew better, but I simply did not focus on exercising regularly and eating right.

Then, if you are like me, being stuck indoors during the Covid-19 shutdown resulted in some unwanted weight gain! With the gym shut down, increased down time and snacks available, I stepped on the scale about three months into the shutdown and saw I gained eight pounds. I cut back on the snacks, started hiking daily, and became best friends with my dumbbells and kettle bell. This ensured I didn’t gain any more weight. Then I began the process of dropping those unwelcomed pounds.

With restrictions lightening up, gyms starting to open, and the super-hot days behind us, now is a perfect time to drop a couple of those pounds you may have recently gained.

Before Covid-19 shutdown, I lost 40 pounds over the course of about 16 months and wrote a book about it entitled: 50 and Fit – Build Muscle. Burn Fat. Eat Right. Repeat… In addition to the book, we have two opportunities to meet either online or in person this week, where I will help people get on the weight loss path to lose and keep it off!

Let me introduce and expand a little on three simple steps to losing that unwelcomed weight.

BUILD MUSCLE

Muscle is your fat burning engine. The more muscle you build, the more calories you will burn when you are sitting, exercising and even sleeping! Three ways to build muscle include:

• Lift free weights or use resistance machines
• High Intensity Interval Training (H.I.I.T.) or bodyweight exercises
• Kettlebell workouts

This goes for men and women at any age. Simply put, the more muscle you have, the stronger and healthier you will be. In terms of getting rid of fat – muscle burns calories!

BURN FAT

Learning to target burning fat instead of just burning calories takes a little knowledge, but will help you actually lose and keep off that unwanted fat. Exercises targeting fat include:

• Cardiovascular exercise – walking, running, biking, aerobics, elliptical etc.
• I.I.T. training to keep heart rate and breathing up

By targeting fat, you train your body to actually break down and get rid of unwanted fat. Once your body kicks into fat burning mode, the weight starts to come off.

EAT RIGHT

One great key is eating intentionally. This greatly reduces excessive hunger leading to snacking on junk food or binge eating. Learning what and when to eat is key to speeding up your metabolism to be a fat burning machine. I lost 40 pounds without skipping meals. Here are a couple of steps:

• Eat intentionally – eat at chosen times and purposely choose what you eat
• Greatly reduce/eliminate junk foods, empty calories and simple sugars
• Focus on lean proteins and fruit/vegetables

My goal was to lose 40 pounds by my 50th Birthday. I began at 228 and weighed 188 on the morning of my birthday. Losing weight is a simple process that takes a little knowledge and consistent action. Anyone can lose weight and have more daily energy.

Bottom line, I committed to honoring my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit and feel like a totally different person! I am determined to help others also make this important shift in order to live out God’s purposes in their lives.

Here are two opportunities to personally connect with me live this week to learn the best ways to lose weight and keep it off!

FREE ONLNE weight loss seminar, Thursday, September 3rd from 8:00 – 9:30 pm EDT when you purchase signed book from website @ https://redmondstrategygroup.com/products-and-services/ols/products/50-and-fit-pre-sale/v/50-FIT-PRE-SL

Group Hike and Weight Loss discussion – Saturday, September 5th from 10 am – 12 pm. Complimentary signed copy of book with event registration: https://hikeandweightlossseminar.eventbrite.com

E-mail with any questions: info@redmondstrategygroup.com

I hope to help you lose and keep off that unwanted weight!