Over the years of our lives we lose 100s of pounds and gain them back all at the same time. We focus on short term deadlines but fail to make changes towards a vision we have of a healthier version of ourselves over the long term. The perfect combination for the yo-yo effect that I see every woman I know struggle with, including myself. We think about a vacation coming up, a dress we’d like to fit in or even pictures at a large event coming up just because we know they will be looked at forever. Well, let me tell you; one piece of cheesecake isn’t going to make us fat at the same time as one salad isn’t going to make us thin. It’s the decisions we make over the long term that ultimately hold the answers to exactly how we want to look and feel.
1)Accept that genetics play a large role. Stop comparing yourself to the person of the cover of the latest health magazine. Although they do live a life committed to their health to achieve success in their modeling careers, that’s what they are. Models. Models for marketing purposes. And the regimes they put their bodies through the last couple of days before a photo shoot, are not regimes that are sustainable. (nor healthy)
2)Stay to the outsides of the grocery store. If the food doesn’t require water, the sun, or oxygen to exist, don’t eat it. This includes FAKE sugar!
3)Plan ahead to get 30 minutes of increased heart rate daily. You decide what works for you. Do something challenging but not something that you’re going to develop a negative relationship with exercise about. Weight lifting doesn’t mean you’ll get bulky. With the proper plan, you’ll increase your metabolic rate by adding two-three days of weightlifting in your week.
4)Drink a lot of water throughout the day. Most of the time when you feel hunger, you’re actually thirsty. By the time you’re feeling thirsty, it’s actually the start of dehydration.
5)Get outside as often as you can. Even in the winter. If your 30 minutes could be outside, its beneficial for your mind AND body to get the vitamin D.
6)Focus less on the calories and more on the quality/quantity of the food. The 100 calories in almonds cannot be compared to the 100 calories in a snack pack of chips.
7)Get some SLEEP! It’s crucial to restore and rejuvenate!
8)Pre-plan your week. Having an agenda helps you have an agreement with yourself. Agreements can be held by playing fun games and assigning consequences. For example- put $10 aside and if you don’t’ follow your agenda for the week, donate it to an organization that has a mission you do not agree with. After all, the only true agreements we have in life are the ones we’re willing to keep!
9)Recognize emotional eating. Are you really hungry? Or bored? Or freaking out because you have a deadline approaching for something you committed to do and you procrastinated so it’s easier to sit with a bowl of ice cream than your computer at 10pm.
10) Don’t’ judge other people. The judgements we have on other people are actually the judgements we have on ourselves. Focus on you. Focus on positive self talk. Love yourself and know that you deserve to have the confidence to do whatever makes you feel good including wearing a bathing suit YOU want to wear and not the bathing suit you think everyone else thinks you should wear.
11) Live your life. Enjoy time with your friends. Have a piece of cake. Eat the pizza. Put some oranges in that beer!! Just recognize that treats are treat and don’t derail your healthy lifestyle. We have them to ‘treat’ ourselves and shouldn’t feel like we’ve done something wrong. If you adopt a healthier lifestyle in general, having the occasional treat will help you stick to your healthy habits long term.
12) Lastly, in whatever it is you’re trying to achieve in this life, you’re only going to get the results that you’re committed to. If it’s not 150% hell yeah, it’s a no! Find what gets the spark in your heart burning and crush it!
Good luck!
Ps. For information on some wellness/active adventures Unstoppable You is offering, check out the retreats tab and also find me on social media with the name Unstoppable You Coach. There are hikes, retreats, whitewater rafting, snow shoeing, horseback riding, etc! Hope to see you attend!
~Heather