How Can I Stay Motivated With My Nutrition and Exercise Routine?

What motivates you to eat healthy and exercise? 

If you are like most people, you have started a new workout routine or a new “diet” with the intentions of getting into better shape and feeling better. First of all, if you do nothing else, replace the word “diet” with lifestyle. Diets are short term mentality and is usually relating to depriving ourselves of food. 

What happens to most is that they start their new program and quickly fall back into their old familiar habits. Why is this? The answer is simple and basic. It usually comes down to 3 reasons.

1.)  Not a strong enough desire to WANT the change.

2.)  Expecting too much too soon.

3.)  No accountability.

It’s good to know this when deciding to make a big change with your fitness. You can then make sure you don’t fall into the common trap:

1.) Knowing your reasons WHY you want to change. 

Usually there are numerous reasons on why you want to get healthy. It varies for everyone but I would guess your reason may be wanting to lose weight, gain confidence, feel better or maybe even be more active with your children. We want all of that and we want it all right now! Who wants to put time and effort into this? We live in an instant age of constant messages in front of us. Everything seems to be real-time but unfortunately anything worth anything usually is going to require some time to get there.

2.) Taking it one day at a time and never deprive yourself of what you want. There are enough good, healthy foods out there where you don’t have to feel miserable by not having that hamburger or feeling like you are forced into having some “disgusting” vegetable. Keep experimenting with making food different ways and over time I guarantee that you will look forward to eating them just as much as that pizza. Your taste buds eventually change but it will take a little time to adjust depending on how far off the healthy bandwagon you are starting.

3.) Accountability. Find a workout partner or someone you can count on to keep you on task. It’s easy to skip a workout, but not if someone is counting on you to check in with them daily.

Summer is getting closer and closer and with that means warmer weather and swimsuit season. It’s a popular time with added incentive to be in shape to hit the beach. If you are thinking about jumping in and making a big important change in your life to get healthy; remember WHY you are doing it.

Do it for you and break it down. If you drink soda, start by eliminating it. It that feels too much to go cold turkey, reduce it greatly for the first week. By the second week, reduce more and then eliminate completely. There is nothing beneficial from soda. 

The key is to have a plan and write it down like you would a business meeting. Once you start making a little success with shedding a few pounds you will be amazed on how other pieces of your life improve as well.

So what are you waiting for? Make the decision to start and improve yourself and take action! Contact me and I will keep you accountable!