Happy 2016, everyone! The year usually kicks off with people making resolutions. There’s always a lot of “New Year, New Me” posts and telling yourself what you’re going to do differently this year. What’s one of the most common trending themes? Diet. Exercise. Weight loss. Getting Healthier.Â
From someone who has constantly struggled with weight issues, here are some of my personal tips to help you turn those RESOLUTIONS TO REALITY:
1. Make specific, measurable, and most importantly REALISTIC goals.Â
Don’t say I’m going to exercise more and eat healthier. Say I am going to be active 30 minutes a day 3 times a week. I’m going to eat more protein, at least two servings of vegetables a day, and I am going to have less than 30 grams of sugar a day.Â
2. If you’re striving for weight loss, accept slow progress as the most beneficial way to lose weight.Â
Healthy weight loss rate for the average person (depending on where you start, you can easily drop more weight quicker than others) is 1-2 pounds a week. This may seem like a lot of weeks if you're trying to lose a lot of weight. However, it’s scientifically proven that if you lose weight a slow, consistent rate, you’re more likely to not gain it all back.Â
3. Make your goals more than just about a number on a scale. Â
I personally use a scale every now and again just to keep myself in check when I know I am falling off the wagon as a wake up call. However, realize there are more ways than just a scale to track progress and success. Be open to accepting other wins: measure inches, use the fit of your clothes, how you feel in general, acknowledge and track progress of your physical activity -- having more energy, running faster, farther, doing more reps, being able to do a push up if you haven’t before, not getting winded going up stairs.Â
4. Resolutions about health are more than just diet and exercise.
Having a healthy mind is just as important. Take time for you. Sleep enough hours. Listen to your favorite band. Dance your ass off at the club one night. Meditate. Have a picnic on the water. Paint a portrait. Whatever it is that makes you happy to escape and clear your mind, that’s just as important as food and fitness.Â
5. Fight the winter blues with H20.
January kicks off and for a lot of people, the weather can be a factor. It get’s cold, it’s hard to get outside, we get lazy after a couple weeks of trying to tackle our resolutions. How can you keep your body going? Drink water! Since we aren’t sweating it out in the heat, we tend to drink less water and not get any sun (vitamin d). This is one reason we get sick in the winter. What happens when we get sick? We can't workout or be active. So stay just as hydrated in the winter months and take a vitamin D supplement if you are missing out on natural sun rays. This will do wonders. Fight dry skin, keep toxins out of your body, drinking water keeps your water weight down. Â
6. Don't look at it as work or a challenge. Build habits.Â
I guess a workout wouldn’t have the word “work” in it if it was easy. BUT IT CAN BE! Find activities you enjoy doing that doesn’t feel like a “workout”. Grab a group of friends and join a co-ed softball team. You make friends, get active, and it doesn’t feel like work. Love shopping? Park at the opposite end of the mall and walk to your favorite stores, use the stairs. Love the water? Learn to wakeboard or surf. Enjoy traveling? schedule a road trip once a month to a park or national park where people go hiking or biking.Â
Why do a lot of people quit? Because they overwhelm themselves. They cut out a ton of stuff in their diet. Try hitting the gym every day for two weeks. They exhaust themselves and they quit. Baby steps. Like I said before, be realistic and set measurable goals: get active 30 minutes a day 3 days a week. Do it for 3-4 weeks then say 30 minutes 5 times a week. Do it for a few more weeks. Add a 15 minute walk on your lunch break. Or week one add more vegetables and drink one less soda a day. Then two weeks later say I am only going to have a soda twice a week and I am going to eat out only once a week.Â
Hope everyone has had an amazing start to 2016 and can’t wait to see everyones resolutions turn to REALITY!Â
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