Create Your Magic Day
I really shouldn’t have this. I haven’t gotten any exercise in months. New Year’s is not too far off though. I can get back on track then.” This is a rationalization I actually overheard at a restaurant recently. I don’t know what this woman, or any other person I have heard say similar things, thinks will happen on New Year’s. If she is unable to create her own motivation today, how does she think she will be able to create motivation after completely overindulging in highly processed, highly addictive foods, all while being relatively sedentary for months on end? The chance of this woman’s success or anyone else like her, is incredibly slim. Not to mention the major damage that can happen between now and January 1.
Why do we put so much weight into a date (no pun intended)? When New Year’s day fails us, there is always Monday and when Monday fails us, we still have the first of the month. I am here to tell you, January 1, Monday and February 1 are not magical days. Not the beginning of the year, the beginning of the week or the beginning of any month. Your magical day is not going to appear. You have to create it.
That is not to say choosing a date to start your journey to better health and fitness is a bad thing. My point is about putting faith into a day instead of ourselves. We cannot rely on outside motivation. We have to find the motivation within ourselves. If we are looking for the perfect date to start, it somehow allows us to remove our own responsibility and blame the lack of being where we want to be on timing issues. There will never be a perfect time. Obstacles will always be there.
Many times it’s just the lack of a plan that is a problem. Some people don’t realize there are strategic steps that need to be made to make any kind of change in your life. The longer you have been living a lifestyle that does not support the fitness level you want, the plan becomes that much more important. If you really want something, you will find the perfect plan that works for you and you will make it your number one priority. If it is not your priority right now, it won’t just magically become your priority on January 1, Monday or February 1. That is not to say that at some point a person’s priorities won’t change. I am just saying that until your’s do, there is no date that will finally be “the” date that makes your fitness dreams come true.
If what you really want is to get fit, lose weight, or just get into better shape, don’t wait. Start today. Take these steps today and begin 2012 with your best foot forward.
- Decide exactly what you want. Do you want to get into the best shape of your life? Do you just want to feel more comfortable in your clothes? Do you want to open your closet and know that you can wear anything you own and look amazing in it? Do you want to run a 10k? Do 20 push-ups? Get very clear about what you want.
- Know what you are willing to do to get what you want. You will have to get uncomfortable. Change doesn’t happen in your comfort zone.
- Research a plan that is right for you. You can opt for one-on-one personal training, semi-private and group training, online programs like the most personal online program on the web (shameless plug) www.rachelfit.com that is launching very soon. There are many options out there, the point is that you need to do your research and make sure you find a plan that will work for you.
- Once you choose a plan, you need to create a schedule. Write your schedule in your planner and treat it like a business meeting. DO NOT MISS IT!
- Create your perfect workout space or join the perfect gym. Whether you workout at home or in a gym it is extremely important that it is a space that you feel good in. This is different for everyone, but, make sure it is neat and organized and makes you feel good. It needs to be convenient. Don’t leave any holes that can become excuses to miss workouts.
- Purge your kitchen. Get rid of anything processed.
- Have a plan to motivate you. January 1 sounds exciting and can be a momentary motivation, but, you need something to keep you going on January 5 when it’s cold and dark and your alarm goes off early so you can get your workout in. I love to use vision boards, movies, quotes etc. I also have people in my life that are always up and strive to be better. This motivates me. I also allow myself to have “off” days once in awhile. The key is not to let it become more than a day. I spend some time looking for something to get me fired up and to remind me why I want what I want. Find what’s right for you.
Take these tips and get started today. Get to work and create your own magical day!
Beat Holiday Weight Gain
This holiday blog is long overdue, but, I have had a hard time getting into holiday mode this year. I was at a Lions football game viewing party a few weeks ago when I realized the holidays were here. The neighborhood where the party was was lit up like a Christmas tree and some of the guests actually were wearing holiday attire. It didn’t totally hit me until someone asked if I would attend their Christmas party that was only five days away. Then BAM! I get home check email and end up with every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the rest of December filled with parties, dinners and celebrations. My social calendar is quite bleak the rest of the year.
My point being, that’s how fast holiday weight gain happens if you aren’t careful. You don’t even realize the holidays are here, then next thing you know, you have unwanted pounds you need to lose. Every year seems to get crazier and crazier. Marketing continues to be about doing things earlier, faster, longer, bigger and MORE! I was working out with the radio on the other day and I heard two commercials back to back. One was for Aldi. It said that since the food is cheaper there, you can feed your family more for the holiday. Yeah! More crap! Ugggh! Then the very next commercial was about getting “high school skinny” for the holidays using a pill. Since that workout, I have only listened to my iPod.
It is the holiday season and this time of year should be special. What makes it special though? The food? The gifts? The company? What about the actual meaning of the holiday? And is it really necessary to indulge (in food, gifts etc) from October 31 all the way until January 1? Don’t you regret it every year? Here are some tips to make it through the rest of the holiday season in better shape that last year.
1. Guard your time as if it were your child. Keep your workout and meal preparing schedule. Don’t let other things take over and cause you to become reactive. Schedule yourself first.
2. Have a Plan B. Hit the snooze one too many times and your sleep crept into your workout time? Have a backup workout. Do not skip the workout just because you are short on time. You can get in a great workout that burns tons of fat in 20-30 minutes.
3. You know the weekends are going to be filled with parties and celebrations. Eat super clean all week long and plan which parties you will enjoy a little indulgence.
4. Do not indulge at every party you go to. It will be way to difficult to get back on track. Don’t slide so far off the track that it takes until bikini season to get back into a healthy routine.
5. Drink more water. Drink at least 72 oz of water with lemon each day.
6. Skip the starch at dinner. Keep your dinners protein, fat and veggies.
7. Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night.
8. Split your workouts. Running short on time? Get in half of your workout in the morning and then finish it off in the afternoon. Be sure that you bring some intensity to each part.
9. Do not bring home leftovers from parties! Or, if you are having the party, send the leftovers home with guests.
10. Planning your meals is more important this time of year than any other. There are too many variables during the holidays. Create your plan and stick to it. Don’t allow there to be a variable in your head. You know you will tell yourself it’s okay to eat that cookie. If you have a clear cut plan that Mon-Thurs you will have X, Y and Z for Breakfast, lunch and dinner and on Friday you will have X for breakfast, Y for lunch and indulge a little at your work party dinner, you know you have the option to have the cookie, just not Mon-Thurs. Leave it open and you will allow yourself 7-10 extra pounds of body fat worth of cookies. Don’t let that be you this year!
I hope these tips help you to end the year in a little better shape than before. Check out my Fit For the New Year Tips at https://www.facebook.com/RachelFit1 to start out the new year on the right foot.