So....I've kind of been on a healthier lifestyle kick (kick...do you call it a kick? I don't know, I don't care)...but yes, I've been eating healthily and working out more after gaining some weight in Italy and it's been difficult...very difficult. But here are some tips I found useful in not giving up on your journey.
This is me right now btw. And all the crap in the background is also mine...*SPOILER ALERT* It's all food in those bags :-) * ...I've still got a long way to go but I'm taking it slow this time
1. Be realistic:
Don't set yourself a ridiculous goal like " I'm going to lose 10 stone in a week". It's not going to work and the chances are if it does then it wasn't done the healthy way. Set yourself goals that are possible to achieve; that way you won't feel disheartened if you're not 15 stone lighter after day two....which brings me onto my next point....
2. Have sub-goals:
You should have your main goal set in place whether that be to lose a certain amount of weight, or to fit into a size that you could never fit into before, but you should also have sub-goals which will keep you going. It helps a lot seeing some sort of progress no matter how small it is. I think one of my recent sub-goals was to see a bit more definition in my legs after 2 weeks...which I have, so yay for me :-)
3. Don't get drawn in to FAD diets:
I mean everyone is different, some work as a great kick starter for weight loss but for me, they don't last. Oh gosh, about a year ago I did something called the General Motors diet for one week, just Google it. I was the crankiest son of a gun you could ever come across, hardly lost any weight and ate everything in sight as soon as it was over. I would avoid them.
4. Don't rush:
Everything takes time, and if you want this to be a lifestyle change then let it happen gradually.
5. Avoid looking at yourself in the mirror for too long:
Ok, this is a weird one but it's just something I've started doing. I've found that when I stare at myself every day and don't see a change in my body I get disheartened and it sucks for a bit. I still look in the mirror to make sure I haven't grown an extra boob or something (Although if it took me looking in the mirror to know I had a whole extra boob, that's a bit worrying....but you get my drift) but it's for a short period of time, and at the end of the week I can have a proper gander to see what else I need to work on and whether I see any changes...and if I don't then it actually doesn't feel as bad oddly enough.
6: Eat more veg:
Yeh whatever, I've heard that one before...yes you have my dear, because it's true! I've developed a close relationship with the humble salad and I have no intention of looking back. It doesn't matter how much exercise you're banging out at the gym, if you're eating isn't up to scratch, you're not going to see the results you may be looking for....there's a reason why everyone harps on about diet.
7. Make a good playlist:
You probably wouldn't think it but a good playlist makes a massive difference to a workout (well it does for me anyway)....I can push myself way more when I've got a good song on. I tend to play loud, fast songs with a lot of bass...or, on the other side of the spectrum, some slow sad songs to get me all caught up in my feelings...don't ask me why, it just works
8. If you don't want to go to the gym. Don't. Or do. Do what makes you happy:
Not much to say on that...sometimes I don't want to go to the gym because I can't be bothered, in which case I'll go to the gym. Other times I don't want to go to the gym because I'm too tired mentally and physically and just want to sit in my bed and watch The Mindy Project or Heroes Reborn all night...in which case I won't go to the gym. Just double check your reasons for not going, and see which is better for you in the long run.
9. Wear whatever makes you most comfortable:
It's your body, your workout, you don't have to dress like all these instagram models, but if you want to, then do. I saw someone working out in a denim shirt and jeans or something yesterday and was slightly confused but if that's what she wanted to wear then who am I to stop her? She still did her workout...that being said, I wouldn't recommend jeans...just a thought.
10: Don't rely on scales to measure your progress:
Reason 1: Some scales lie...for real. I went on one of those full body measuring machines and it told me I shrunk a couple of centimetres and gained half a stone....went on a different one and it told me something completely different.
Reason 2: Muscle weighs more than fat
Reason 3: It's not just about the number, it's about how you look and feel; don't let the scales dishearten you.
Bonus Tip: LOVE YOUR BODY REGARDLESS!:
Thank you Mr Cliché... much appreciated. But it's true... I don't care how many times this needs to be repeated, it's repeated for a reason. Don't waste time comparing yourself to others, try and think positively as much as possible, and be kind to yourself. Seriously, be kind to yourself, be kind to your mind, and be kind to your body. I think that's one that people forget nowadays.
<3
