Ninety-five percent of people give up on their exercise and diet regimen because they have unrealistic goals. Don’t set a goal that you can’t achieve without sacrificing something you aren’t willing to sacrifice. What does that mean? Set goals that are achievable without sacrificing quality of life. Who absolutely loves to diet? Nobody, but we do it because we are promised quick weight loss. What happens if you can’t stick to that diet? The weight comes right back on, times two. What needs to happen is a lifestyle change: changing eating habits instead of eliminating entire food groups, exercising reasonably instead of going on a two hours a day, seven times a week cardio binge.
Here are some simple rules to help you to achieve your goals and stay positive:
Pick a pace and program that works for your life, not just for the next 3 months, and you will succeed!
If you fall victim, like most of us do, to the media’s version of what you should look like, you are in for a bumpy ride. If you listen to them, you will never be too skinny, too young, too plastic-looking…you really will never be good enough. We all come in different shapes and sizes and we need to look within ourselves to find our perfect body, not someone else’s version of us. Easier said than done, right? It is, but anything worthwhile takes determination, will power and action. You can do it!
Keep a diary!
Now, I know this one is a crowd pleaser. “Yay Maria, can’t wait to waste my time writing down everything I do and eat.” Slow down, believe it or not, this one can be a huge help in achieving your goals. How can you expect to lose weight if you don’t know how many calories you should be eating and how many calories you
actually eat? Once you do this for 2-3 weeks, you know roughly how much you are eating. It’s about creating self-awareness, not becoming full-time journalists.
Don’t rush things!
Set realistic timelines and above all, stick to a pace and plan that you know you can keep up. Being fit and healthy is a way of life, not a quick fix to lose 20 lbs. over three weeks.
Stay focused and think positive!
You will never reach your goals if you think you will never reach your goals.
Don’t try to find excuses!
I am sure it has happened to you. “I didn’t get a good night’s sleep, I didn’t eat right, I had a bad day at work, I was very tired, I fought with my….. etc.” You are your own judge and you should be as honest as possible with yourself. Give yourself a break when you need it but hold yourself accountable when you know you are just making excuses.
Don’t believe everything you read or hear!
So many “diet programs” and even exercise equipment are bogus. Shake weight– need I say more?
Don’t expect to be perfect!
You are human and life comes at you when you least expect it. You will make mistakes; be better next time.
