“I did not like what I saw in the beginning of the year. 40+ years old. My knees suck. Gave up smoking 12 years past. I figured it was the best I could do. I worked out at least 3 times a week. I’d walk and hike. Nothing seemed to help. Time to put down the excuses and just do it. I’m down 30 pounds from the beginning of the year. Today is cardio day. I hate cardio! But I ran/walked 3.5 miles in 56 minutes through Nolde Forest. I feel great. I have more energy and can do more than I ever could before. Some days my body says hey you’re not 20 anymore. I say yes! I’m in better shape and keep moving! One day I hope to section hike the Appalachian trail. I guess I’ll keep training until then.” -Beth W.
Did any of this sound like the thoughts in you have with yourself? Are you “trying” but “trying” isn’t working?
To add a bit of clarification to Beth’s testimony; Beth has worked out/exercised for over a year, without seeing much in results. Only till she added in a nutritional plan that worked with her lifestyle did she begin to see those results. She also had the “mental” light bulb go off in her head that shouted ENOUGH ALREADY! I’m tired of being like this, I’m tired of excuses, I WANT TO FEEL BETTER!
You see, for over 20 years I have worked with individuals on achieving fitness and wellness goals. I have seen first hand the struggles, the ups, the downs, the whole gamut. For 20 years nothing has changed as far as how to obtain results.
- Nutrition is key
- Exercise must follow nutrition (at least 5x a week, this includes weight lifting)
- Your mindset is crucial to your results
If you have these 3 key ingredients than you have a recipe for success. Now grant it, if there are underlying health issues/medications you will have more of an uphill battle, but it can be done.
Suggestions and advice if you are in this boat and feeling like your keep paddling but go nowhere.
- Get your head in the right mindset first, meaning stop making excuses, start making time, start making your health a priority.
- Set realistic goals. I am not “stretch the truth to make it sound better” kind of person. You ask, I’m giving it to you real time. Realistically, weight loss occurs slowly, it pauses, it plateaus, it can even come to a screeching halt for weeks at a time. So before saying “I want to be this weight xyz in 10 weeks” how about, “I want to start feeling healthy, I want to have more energy, I would like to be able to feel stronger” then go from there. (healthy weight loss is 1/2lb to 1lb per week)
- Schedules; before you commit you best be sure that you have set at least 45minutes per day aside for YOU, to get your workout in, to prep food, to be prepared.
- Open your mind! If you are a so called “picky eater” do you understand why you are? It actually is part due to the processed foods you have consumed over the years that have deadened your taste buds, coated them with sugar and other chemicals, that now alter the taste/feel of real foods. To get over this, get rid of the processed and start consuming foods you feel turned off by more regularly. Once you have eliminated the crap, the you’ll taste the amazing flavors of real foods.
- Body image– Do you avoid looking at your self when you get dressed? STOP IT! This is a mindset issue. Stop saying “ewww this, and ugghhh that” START saying “I am beautiful, I am strong, I am confident. I love myself and I can be a better version by working on myself each day.”
- Family- Be a role model, lead by example. Start a healthier journey and let them watch, include them in the journey. “Picky eaters(kids)” guess who allowed it…yep, YOU DID! Start fighting that battle before they end up right where you are now as an adult, with all the same feelings about themselves.
- Friends– You are who you hang out with the most. Look closely at those 5-10 people whom you interact with on daily/personal levels. Are they inspiring you to be healthier, are they on board with reaching goals, trying something new? Or not? If “not”, time to distance yourself from them.
- 20-30: What do you want to be doing 20-30 years from now? Most of us will be senior citizens, with grandchildren/great grandchildren. How do you see yourself, what would you like to be experiencing in these years? What you do now nutritionally and health wise has a direct effect on those years. Why wouldn’t you want to add years to your life to spend with those you love?
At the end of the day, it’s all a matter of choice. It’s absolutely your choice. No one to blame either way, except you.
What choice will you make?
DO THE WORK
MABFIT
Make a choice today by visiting www.mabfit.net/opt to view your potential fitness/wellness journey.