Getting & Staying Motivated Susan Gazerro
The majority of people believe that eating healthier and exercising are the hardest parts of their journey to a healthier lifestyle, but the truth is the most difficult part is staying motivated to continue their efforts.Think about it, so many people have said,“On January 1st, I will start working out in an effort to be healthier.” Come the end of January, if not sooner, more than half of those people are back to their old ways. It’s easier to feel motivated and inspired at the beginning of a challenge, but with the passing of time, it gets harder and harder to keep it going. It’s important to keep the right mindset in order to continue pushing yourself towards your fitness goals, even at your lowest points. Below are some facts and tips that will help you to stay proactive and
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motivated throughout it all: Your favorite food isn’t your worst enemy. You don’t have to give up your favorite foods to be healthy and fit! There are many scientific studies that show that the main reason for fluctuating weight is because of an increase in calorie intake. If most of your meals are nutritious and healthy, there will be opportunities to indulge without messing everything up. I always say, “taste, don’t over indulge.” You know what it tastes like; do you really need to indulge? It may seem cliche, but it really is important that everything be done in moderation. You do not need to cut anything out completely, as long as moderation is the outcome. Everyone should be able to enjoy their favorite foods and treats at certain times.
Take the word “guilty” out of your vocabulary. So what if just ONE TIME you ate a little too much candy, or gave into a craving for some fries? It’s not the end of the world! So,don’t make a big deal about it. You can train a little bit harder the next day, eat a little healthier, and that will be good enough. Just keep in mind that you should not be giving in to your cravings everyday. My advice is to wake up the next day, take a shower, as it will be refreshing and make you feel alive and ready to go. Next, drink lots of water and start fresh. Lastly, and most importantly, accept what you did and move on. Do not dwell on it and allow your mistake to consume your every thought. It’s a new day! Let it go and start fresh. Love your workout. How can you expect to keep your fitness routine for long-term if you don’t love your workout? That’s close to impossible, unless your willpower is extraordinarily and uncommonly strong! I always tell my class participants, “this is all about being healthy.” Don’t focus on weight loss. If you focus on losing weight, it becomes a chore, and we can all agree that more chores are the last things we need. Find an active group, or get a bunch of friends and enjoy it together. You should laugh and have fun with it. Exercise should not be something you dread, but something you actually look forward to. Knowing that you are going to feel