It's Sunday morning. Your mission for the day - eat everything in site,
including dessert at each meal. Why? You're starting the dreaded 
"Monday diet" tomorrow (yet again). You're convinced that if you spend Sunday stuffing yourself with all the foods you love you'll make it through the diet this time. Sound familiar?
If the word, diet, makes you feel as if you've been given a lifetime prison sentence you're not alone. Here's the thing…think of it as more of a gift you're giving yourself. A gift you've long deserved! Here are some motivational tips to get you started on this journey. A journey that is guaranteed to end with increased self-esteem.
Tip 1: Stop calling it a diet!
The word diet carries a stigma of deprivation. Nobody wants to be on a "diet". You're starting a new life - a life of nourishing your body with healthful eating and smarter food choices. Let's call it your fitness plan. By just changing a word you've shifted gears and now know you're gaining something instead of losing your beloved favorite foods.
Tip 2: Spend time getting to know your body.
Your goal is long term success and learning how to make healthy food choices, not only to drop pounds fast. Stop the negative self talk and obsessing about your lumps and bumps. The more you know about your own body the smarter food choices you'll make. For example, what are you eating that is causing weight gain? What foods give you energy? Close your eyes and think about all the meals you've consumed lately and how you felt a while later. How you feel after a meal can help you determine if your food choices are giving you or taking away your energy.
Tip 3: Pick a plan.
Would you prefer to pay for a diet program so you can have someone watching over you? After all, this is really what you're paying for. Your own cheerleader is normally included in the package price. If you're searching for that magic plan, the genie in a bottle, please give up that search. There is no magic plan or pill, just hard work, common sense, control and balance. All these programs will yield the same results if you do one common thing - consume less and move more.
Tip 4: Believe in you!
Keep believing that you deserve this. Believe that with some major changes in your life you will be happier, healthier and stronger than ever before! Don't listen to that little voice telling you "pssst, this is diet attempt #10 you know, it's failed before, it probably won't work this time either." Ignore that well intended voice. Repeat your new mantra ten times, thin by summer, thin by summer, thin by summer, thin by summer….
Tip 5: Talk to your loved ones.
Consult with your family and friends. Share your goals and solicit their support. There's nothing more tempting than being invited to your favorite restaurant the same week you start a new diet. It's very easy to throw in the towel when faced with a comforting meal at a friend's home or a restaurant you love. Although, food and socializing seem to go hand in hand suggest you do something else instead and maybe your new healthy perspective will rub off on them. If you must dine out, check out this previous article "Survive a lunch date without compromising your fitness plan".
Tip 6: Commit today!
Make a decision today. Stop procrastinating. Start with baby steps if you have to. Baby steps might include changing your ground beef to lean ground turkey breast or your salad dressing to a low fat version -- you get the idea. Once you start seeing results you'll be happy you started, you'll be ready to commit and you'll be that much closer to your fitness goals.
Remember: You're ultimately looking for a fitness plan that will work specifically for you. It's not about eating rice cakes and cottage cheese - you can eat real food with real flavor but keep it balanced. You will lose the weight and keep it off so you will never have to go on a "Monday diet" again.
Keep an eye out for article,"Dont' forget to move! Great starter exercises"
With the right food choices and movement you'll be on your way to a hot body in no time.
Comments