I can't think of a more perfect Monday post than how to make a comeback on your healthy living mission.
This post was inspired by a beautiful lady I've met through blogging - and hopefully helps some of you to get out of the "rut" that you feel like you've fallen into.
The first and trickiest thing you need to understand about getting back onto the fitness train is understanding that there's no stops. If you really want to make a difference in your life, the only ticket you can buy goes one-way. Like you know and like I've said before, this journey is not temporary. It's not for those who want a quick fix to drop 10lbs for swim season.
It's for those who want their skin to glow. For those who know they are worth the change and worth seeing themselves as the new and improved versions. For those who want to feel 5, 10 or 20 years younger than their actual age.
Ready?
1. Decide to Succeed!
So much of this journey is rooted in your mental commitment. It's so "easy" to self-sabotage and let your mind play games with you when you don't have a defense against it. The best ammo is a contract you've signed with yourself that says "I WILL succeed. I CAN do this. I AM worth it."
This decision is vital to your success. It's the decision that will keep your hand out of the bag of potato chips. It's the decision that will keep you to actually only one scoop of ice cream rather than getting knuckle deep into the carton of mint chocolate chip.
It's your foundation. Start here.
A big help in making the decision to succeed is discovering first
why you want to succeed.
2. Realize that you don't need a Miracle, you just need a Plan.
No matter who you are and no matter how far you are from your goals, it's critical to realize that you don't need a miracle, you just need a plan.
A plan! How simple! Anyone can do that!
A meal plan, a workout plan, a plan on how you're going to drink enough water every single day.
This can be something you create for yourself or something you get help with online. Whatever it looks like for you, planning can help get you on the right track to the commitment you made in step #1 and will be the best asset for you to be organized as you make potentially significant life changes.
3. Toss the Junk - Introduce the Healthy.
I've mentioned before how critical it is for you to
toss the junk from your home to be successful.
Even more important is to introduce the healthy things and to keep them in the forefront of your mind.
I've got reminders of my healthy lifestyle everywhere I look around my house. It may look like clutter, but the dumbbells and the yoga mat and the tennis shoes and the kettlebell all remind me of the commitment I've made. At work, the high desk and the big glass of water are frequent reminders to stop sitting all day and to make trips to the water cooler and the restroom.
Make it almost annoying but make it significant because get ready - it's all you'll think about.
4. Enlist your Helpers.
So many people feel ashamed to admit that they need a partner to join them on their fitness journey.
Stop this - stop feeling ashamed - stop making this an excuse. There are so many resources out there and so many support groups - if this wasn't what people needed, these wouldn't exist. Needing a partner in fitness is no different than needing a partner in life.
It's a basic human need and shouldn't make you feel embarrassed.
Find them. I'm here for you, your Facebook friends are here for you, there's tons of nice instagram strangers that are here for you, that nice girl you always see at the gym the same time as you who has the cute headphones is here for you. People want to see you succeed and they're all around you - just ask them for help. Trust me.
5. Do it.
You have your commitment, your plan, your ammunition and your helpers. Now it's time to follow the path you've set out for yourself and make the changes in your life you've been ready for.
Compared to steps 1-4, this is the fun part and where all of the magic happens.
And when all else fails, I'm here to help <3
