some starter information
If you are thinking about making a big lifestyle change, please do your research and get the right information first. This is very important to get the right food and exercise for yourself. For the 1st couple of months I have been missing key information in what’s right for me and have suffered for it. I’m now on the right track thanks to many different sources but please make sure you research! I was eating too many carbs and not enough protein and fats and that is so very important! With new food and exercise, our body needs to find a good balance and that can be tricky to find, as I’ve come to find out myself but that’s what learning is all about!
Modivation
This is my word for 2009 - MOTIVATION! It’s true that you can do anything you set your mind to. I used to make excuses, “I’m lazy”, “I’m too tired’, “I don’t want to” but there should be no excuse when It comes to getting into a healthy lifestyle. It took me years but now I can honestly say I don’t feel tempted by certain foods and I’m no longer throwing around excuse after excuse. You CAN do the same! Make an effort to get that motivation and stick with it. YOU CAN do it! One of the biggest excuse is “I don’t have time” — Sure you do! Wake up 30 min - 1 hr earlier than usual and get that exercise in. Fit it into your busy schedule and guaranteed you will sleep even better for it.
Don’t torture yourself
Set yourself on a certain meal schedule and STICK with it. Don’t be tempted to eat all those extra sweets that you’re so fond of. Get rid of those and eat something more healthy that you enjoy. Don’t torture yourself with something you don’t like. Of course try to drink plenty of water. A good tip: buy yourself a fitness water bottle and fill it up with water. Drink it casually until gone then refill. Do this ALL DAY. That’s what I do and I know it helps to keep me going with intaking more water per day. I’ve cut out all soda and only drink juice with my dinner. Also, don’t try to be too strict on yourself with food - a treat here or there is OK as long as you don’t over induldge. I treat myself with a few spoonfuls of yogurt ice cream when I get a sweet craving. And never, ever starve yourself while exercising, It won’t do any good!
Pace yourself
Exercise can be tough so you want to start out small and work yourself up. I went for too much in my exercise and wound up hurting my knee and ankle for it. You don’t want to end up with downtime like I did. I’m just now getting back on the treadmill after almost 2 weeks treadmill-rest for my ankle mostly. I know sometimes I think to myself, “Wish I could just lose the weight and get this over with!” You have to tell yourself that everything comes in time. Just like any relationship, It has to build. Same with exercise. Don’t be too hard on yourself.
The BIGGEST word in all this is : TIME - It takes time to lose weight, just like It takes time to do any other big task. Be patient and another big area about this is: CONSISTENT! If you say your gonna work out 3 times a week, stick with it! 1 day a week? Stick with it!!!
Treat yourself in other ways
Done a great job with your exercise this week? For the month? Maybe you feel you shouldn’t treat yourself with food treats. Instead go out to the spa, get a haircut or perhaps a nice massage. Buy yourself a new outfit or something you’ve really wanted.
Set your emotions straight
A lot of people find themselves breaking down about their weight. Have a good cry and then tell yourself that you are going to change your life and not look back. End all the extra baggage that you’ve been carrying about your weight and look towards your new healthy future. Try to encourage yourself to think in a positive way.
BORING!
Feel bored during exercise? I LOVE music so when I get on the treadmill I put a CD in the stereo and turn it on while I exercise. A tip I got on The Biggest Loser is that If you SING while you work out, It helps your overall breathing and circulation! That’s what I do. We also have the exercise bike so when I get on that - It has a book stand so I exercise and read on there. Another idea is to call your best friend! Talking to someone will pass the time very quickly!
Conclusion
ANYONE can do this, you just have to put your mind into MOTIVATION gear. Never stop encouraging yourself. So I ask you, If you read this and need to make a health change in your life to challenge yourself to get up and make that change, FOR GOOD! No more excuses, get yourself a schedule and never give up on that and I can guarantee you will feel better and lose the weight!!
If you have any questions or just want to talk or need advice on this, feel free to contact me!!! Good luck!
