10 Tips to Make Fitness Your Lifestyle
My own weight loss story continues to inspire my Personal Training style. As a former student athlete who thoroughly enjoyed the high metabolism of her youth, my bad habits eventually caught up with me and forced me to choose the kind of life I wanted to live down the road.
I tried several "lose weight fast" programs, but they didn't encourage a lifestyle that kept the weight off. Now that I am personal trainer, I take my experiences into account when working with clients, because I know first-hand how "real" the struggle is. Despite all of my training and skills, I am not exempt from temptation, lack of motivation, or negative self-talk at times. However, I use my story to keep others on the right path. Whether you're currently on the fence about "doing better," are already physically active and eating healthy, or somewhere in between, keep this in mind: everything you do today will
impact your future quality of life. I encourage you to start (or continue) taking care of the most important gift you will ever have. If you don't feel good physically/mentally, you can't fully enjoy the other things that matter. As you take your next step, here are 10 truths that I discovered along my journey.
Know Your "Why" - Your reason(s) for getting fit must be abundantly clear and important to you, because it's the best way to keep you disciplined.
Self-Love is Key. Your current weight is someone else's goal weight. No matter how "bad off" you think you are, there is always someone who would love to take your place. It's great to want better for yourself, but self-love will always keep things in the right perspective.
Strive for Progress, Not Perfection. Since no one will ever be perfect in this life, it's important to set realistic goals and celebrate every small victory as a building block toward your ultimate goal.
Words hold power. The words you speak over yourself have the greatest impact on your future. You are a product of whatever you have chosen to believe about yourself over the years. Take an inventory of what you say and change the narrative.
Fitness is a Journey, Not a Destination. The body is constantly changing, so make fitness part of your lifestyle through realistic & sustainable changes overtime.
Every Setback is a Growth Opportunity. Every mistake contains lessons that can help you succeed in the future. Don't be afraid to start over again.
You Can't Out-Train Bad Nutrition. You really are what you eat, so don't be fast, fake, or convenient. In our youth, we could consume processed foods and remain relatively fit, but those products take their toll as we age. Be sure to nourish your body with nutrient-rich foods that will give you enough energy to live your best life.
Change your relationship with food. Food is the body's energy source, but many of us use food to bring comfort and contentment. Be intentional about consuming quality foods and seek other methods to boost your mood during challenging times.
Discipline > Diet. Most diets are largely unsustainable and almost always lead to stress and relapse. We all know a few areas where we could do better, so choose one or two things to master and build from there. An iterative approach can lead to a lifetime of fitness.
Your Community Matters. Surround yourself with positive people who will hold you accountable and push you forward. I owe much of my success in life to my community of supporters who have kept me grounded. The right team can help you get out of your own way and realize the potential you never thought you had.
Comments