Health and wellness March 4, 2016 By
The beginning of the year is quickly slipping away. I’m sure many of us made resolutions to get fit and feel better this year and that usually involves losing excess weight you picked up from the holiday goodies.
If you have made a resolution to lose weight and be fit, here are some suggestions that have helped me change my lifestyle. I have a long way to go, but I am actively taking control of myself to become a happier, healthier, more productive individual.
Don’t beat yourself up over fitness failings. Never, ever, give up on yourself after a treat of something you truly enjoy. We only live once, and there will always be those special occasions that we should enjoy. Just try your best to watch portion control and you might be surprised how satisfied you may feel.
Don’t let others get to you. Most of the time, there is a person in your life that appears fit and trim. This person might encourage you to “go ahead, have some of that pizza” or whatever it may be, saying, “it can’t/won’t hurt you.” Often, they don’t realize how it feels to struggle to fit into those old clothes, fight for a better life, or attend those gatherings they love so much without binging on every food in sight. Most people truly mean well, but those type comments can make it very hard for us to stay on track to achieve our goals. Don’t let others get you down. Focus on you and remember why you started this journey in the first place.
Try your best to keep yourself motivated. You are making these life changes to enjoy all those activities involving your children and/or grandchildren, family and friends, and give your life pleasure and happiness. Believe me, being complacent about your health is a huge detriment to your well-being, both physically and mentally! When you feel yourself dreading a workout, remember that exercise gives you an extra amount of energy and can make you feel amazing! When you feel like falling off of the wagon and just eating that cheeseburger, remember that eating healthier foods can help with weight loss and can also help you attain more stamina for that workout. You might even want to keep motivational quotes, photos, etc. around for those hard times.
Stay Active. Since many of us are confined to our desks, for the majority of our days, I encourage you to take the stairs when possible and breathe normally with every step. You can become winded and forget to breathe while taking the stairs, so many people can become discouraged to begin any other type of activity or workout. Some other ideas include parking your vehicle as far away from the building as possible or taking a walk around the building or block. After your stamina builds up, try to challenge yourself to go an extra lap or two. When time allows, go to the nearest park or walking trail and enjoy a little nature. You will be more refreshed for the afternoon and your body will thank you for it.
Find a friend, or a group of friends, who are also on a fitness/weight loss journey. It’s very helpful to find a friend, or a group of friends, that is on the same journey as you so that you can encourage each other and share tips or tricks to maintain a healthy lifestyle together. When others begin seeing noticeable differences and voicing their encouragement, it makes us feel good about ourselves and helps us to stay on track. We never know exactly what a person is struggling with, but a simple, “you look great” can be the best motivation for them. Encouragement from others can play a tremendous role in helping others to strive for a better, healthier, happier life.
If you are ready to “spring into shape” this year, I encourage you to start by making a list of healthy, yet sustainable, goals that would help change your lifestyle for the better.
