Motivation - start now!

So you made a new years resolution to improve your eating habits and lose weight. What do you do next?

Firstly: 

Articulate what you want for yourself and what needs to change for you to have it.

Do you want to be a regular exerciser? When are you going to fit it in? What type of activity are you going to do? What gear do you need? What are you going to sacrifice to get it done?

Do you want to lose weight? What foods do you overeat? What habits cause you to needlessly snack? What triggers you to emotional eat? Do you have a healthy eating plan to follow?

For me, becoming a regular exerciser used to be such a challenge. To regularly exercise, day in, day out, I must wake early and do it before my children are awake and my husband leaves for work. If I do it then, it doesn’t matter what the weather is, how busy I am for the day or how grumpy the children are, the exercise gets done.

It’s taken me a long time to realize this but the only way I become a regular early morning exerciser is to say goodbye to sleeping in. Before this realization I had the best of intentions as I went to bed the night before but turned my alarm off the next morning and missed my training session. I would do it almost every day. It wasn’t until I decided I wanted to be a regular exerciser more than I wanted to sleep in an hour or so that I actually managed to get up and get moving.

It’s critical that you understand this. What do you want more?

Although they might be bad for us, there are certain habits that we like to hold on to, just like a toddler holds onto their old smelly blanket. They’re comfortable, familiar and they make us feel good. Deep down we know it’s smelly and disgusting and we’d be better off without it, but give it up? Forever?

I believe that we can actually be scared of success, because success is unknown. You might love to have a leaner, healthier body, but if you’ve been overweight for years, and have been doing the same behaviours since you were a child, then letting go of these behaviours can be a real struggle. People are afraid of success because it’s unknown and most of us decide to settle for the devil we know rather than the one we don’t.

This is where the professionals come in. Nutritionists, personal trainers and other health ambassadors will tell you, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they don’t miss eating chocolate daily or sleeping in or watching TV every night. They are energetic, strong, have a great body and to them it’s worth every sacrifice of throwing those old poor habits away. They’ve also got the knowledge and tools to help establish healthy habits in your life, particularly when they’ve done the same journey, that you’re about to embark on, at some time or another.

So what’s your smelly blanket? Maybe there are a few that need throwing away… Whatever they are, articulate them to yourself clearly and then make the decision that they’ve got to go. Then, just do it! Let them go!

Secondly: 

Warning! Before you do go ahead and throw away your bad habits, you’ve got to have a plan in place so you’re ready to stay strong when it all starts to feel too hard and you want to bail out. A plan sets you up for success. A plan prepares you for the hurdles and obstacles. A plan eliminates your excuses.

Put your training in your calendar or diary. Make an appointment with yourself and value yourself enough to keep it. Organise to finish work early, get someone to mind the kids or take a longer lunch break. If you’re making excuses, you don’t want it bad enough.

Healthy changes - get started now

Here are some valuable planning tips to get you prepared and ready to start your healthy eating journey now:

  • Plan your meals – have healthy food planned and ready to cook when you get home.
  • Keep healthy snacks in your desk draw at work – don’t reach for the fundraiser chocolates.
  • Throw out all the unhelpful food in your house – if it’s not available you can’t eat it.
  • Buy a new pair of sneakers – new shoes are very motivational!
  • Buy a good sports bra or two – eliminate the bounce and protect your assets.
  • Shave your legs – Eliminate the ‘hairy legs’ excuse to workout.
  • Get good healthy eating advice – see a nutritionist or a dietitian for the best advice. Here at The Healthy Eating Hub we have qualified nutritionists and dietitians that can tailor a healthy eating solution just for you!
  • Get your fresh fruit and veg delivered weekly so theres always wholesome food available.
  • Prepare your family – get them on board with your new habits and changes by asking for their support.
  • Find a workout buddy – exercise is always better with a friend.
  • Put your workout gear out the night before ready for the next day.
  • Keep a pair of runners at your desk for lunch break walks.

So off you go. Write down your bad habits, plan your attack and when game day comes put your head down, your bum up and give yourself the life you deserve.

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