*I hate that I can't remember basic grammatical rules. I swear I want to type and re-type the title to this because I think that the to's should/shouldn't be capitalized or whatever... DAMN YOU, CPS!
1.) STAY ENCOURAGED -- The sites and mags don't title their articles "How to Beat the Winter Workout Blues" for no reason. It gets annoying and boring. I was watching a clip reel of Alicia Marie (a fitness model, @ALICIAMARIEBODY) and on a show she told a boy, (something like) "There will be more days that you don't want to workout than days that you do!" Keep reminding yourself the reasons why you want to get and stay slim and don't let your conscience beat you before an actual beat down comes--which will probably never happen. Change up your workout, try new classes, borrow a recipe, begin to intentionally change your speech from 'novice' to 'familiar' (and then work on going from 'familiar' to 'well versed' and so on... Do you see how that works?)
2.) USE SOCIAL MEDIA -- Be open and as honest, as you are comfortable with, about your weight loss journey. Talk about new workouts you are trying/want to try, tell people about a new recipe or how easy something that seemed difficult was. Don't beat yourself up though. Words like "I feel fat," and "I'm such a fat ugly slob," only make people think that you have a REALLY bad self-image problem and that you aren't serious about your goals. You will be surprised how many people will encourage you when you when you seriously do not have an ounce of motivation within you. At the same time, you will encourage a lot of people to keep on their own track to slim, healthy sexiness! AND YOU CAN GET FREE ADVICE FROM CELEBRITY TRAINERS!! [But don't tell anybody I told you...that's just a heads up between US here, at THM.)
3.) DON'T FREAK PEOPLE OUT! -- Don't make this one part of your life, your ENTIRE life. There is no reason you should be on a cleanse every week (w/o your physicians advice) and popping pills at dinner tables before you drink a glass of water and then another between every bite. People will be afraid for you and thus they will begin to speak negatively about your goals (consciously or unconsciously). If you MUST explain to people why/how you plan to go about your weight loss, make it logical. I was telling people how much weight I wanted to lose but it wasn't until I told them how much I had actually gained/how dangerously close I was to being over weight that they began to say: "Wow. Then this whole health thing is good for you." Another fun thing I do now, that I didn't do in the beginning when talking numbers, rather than say, "I HAVE 30 LBS LEFT!" Say things like: "I can't fit my jeans anymore!" Or, "I'm just 1 pound away from the 5 lbs I set to lose this month." These are softer blows to the head but blows indeed.
4.) BUT DO, FREAK THEM OUT! (WITHIN REASON) -- If your friends invite you out for drink every 10 seconds, and you usually are already at the bar before they get the words out of their mouth... say 'no' sometimes. Or maybe, you'll go to a fast-food restaurant, go ahead and ask them to "hold the mayo, cut it in half and make a fresh batch of fries w/ no salt, please." These things will attract enough attention that your close social network will notice and honor the fact that you are working at being a healthier person. They might even order the same thing or, check first to see how you feel about certain unhealthy activities before even getting too excited about you being there. Naturally, people don't like too much change so, expect a lot of unfamiliar behavior from even your closest friends and family. They will get used to it as you get used to it but they are hoping that you will join them for the Friday night fish fries every week like you used to. Healthy, well informed decisions are easily recognized so, keep growing and be confident in all of your choices. They HAVE to honor that.
5.) MAKE IT A LIFESTYLE -- Another very typical statement that I am learning is true. Don't just workout or don't just eat healthy. Sleep more, party less, and adjust the other things accordingly. My goal last month was to have a fruit or a vegetable at EVERY meal and snack. Find a fitness AND nutrition guru who speaks your language and take their word for it. (Check their credentials and use you reason though.) I like the Tone It Up girls and Jeanette Jenkins. By checking out their stuff, following them on Twitter and Liking their brands on Facebook, I've been introduced to new and interesting people in the fitness world because of it. NOW rather than seeing people talking about smoking weed at 4:20 (I don't smoke weed.) I see people saying, "TRY 200 PUSH-UPS BEFORE BED!" and "BREATHE DEEP." I am a very self-disciplined person when it comes to the things that I really want, but when it comes to doing painful things like exercise and budgeting, I honestly rely on my friends who are at the point I want to get to, and great, reliable sources that I can access any time or any where. Keep healthy snacks at your desk or put water bottles in all of the places you spend most of your time. You made socializing a part of your lifestyle, you made shopping a part of your lifestyle, and you even made morning meetings a part of your lifestyle... All of these things are important but are NOT as important as a healthy and sound, mind and body. Make it a part of your lifestyle.
**Just in case someone decides to jump off of a bridge after reading this, I want to let the internet and readers know that I am not a certified nutritionist or fitness trainer. This is all my own opinion and coming from my own experiences. I encourage you to talk to such people, especially doctors and/or nutritionists and/or psychologists about whatever type of journey you are preparing (or are already on) for.
xoxo!
Melissa
