What’s Next?
So you’ve made the decision to do something different. What’s next? Below are some practical tips to help jumpstart your journey. Take one tip at a time and build upon it until you achieved all five. Feel free to move at your own pace. This is not about the destination but enjoying the journey.
Write out your vision. Focus on becoming instead of just meeting goals. Goals can be met but once they are, a new goal has to be created. It can be stopped and started at anytime. Becoming is a non-stop process and focuses on a long lasting healthy lifestyle. Instead of saying “My goal is to do 20 pushups” say “My goal is to become stronger than I was the month before” Who do you want to be? This is all starts with you.
Visit the Doc. Schedule an appointment to see your PCM to get an understanding of your health concerns. The more insight you have, the clearer your target becomes. They may refer you to see a specialist for more insight. Don’t be afraid of this. Knowledge is power.
Meal Plan. Sitting down once a week and writing out what you will this week helps save money on grocery and it makes your more intentional about what’s going on in your body. If you start to feel hungry, you can grab that pre-made snack or meal to satisfy your hunger before you start to give into cravings. Meal prepping helps with portion control and saving money on eating out, too. Also, limit the prepackaged snacks and processed foods you buy at the store. Order your groceries online so you are not tempted by what you see and never go to the grocery store on an empty stomach.
Have a walking or workout buddy. Ask your spouse to keep you in check whenever you’re tempted to cave in. If you have family/friends that have a healthy lifestyle, probe their brains and learn new tips and tricks. Also, get moving with your friends, neighbors or church group.
Work Out. Even if you don’t feel like it, work out. You’re not always gonna feel like working out. You’re not always gonna feel motivated. You’re not always gonna feel lighter. Feelings are not always facts. Think about the reason you work out and stay focused. Choices lead, feelings follow. Make the choice to exercise and I guarantee it will feel great.
*Be sure to rest. Don’t go to the gym everyday. If your legs hurt, do an arm workout. If your arms hurt, work on your core. Switch things up and listen to your body!'
Track Your Progress. Pick an outfit to try on every so often to observe changes. You can weigh yourself once every two weekson’t obsess over the numbers. Sometimes in the process of muscle training you exchange fat for muscle thus the numbers on the scale might not change. Focus on tracking your strength and changes in body composition.
I know with commitment, discipline and dietary changes, you will exceed all your goals. I failed many times at my weight loss journey because I wanted a certain look more than I wanted to work for it. Now I want to work for it because it is fun to be stronger and see the work finally pay off. I am no different than you are. I don’t always feel like working out and every now and then I want Doritos. Healthy living takes time so give yourself grace and don’t let one misstep throw you off course.
