What
motivates you to treat your body right? Whether we’re talking about eating well
or working out, it’s easier to make healthy choices when we plan ahead and stay accountable. Sounds pretty simple, right? Let’s break it down.
Plan Ahead:
Planning ahead can take
different shapes and forms depending on your preferences. For some, it means
penciling your workouts into your calendar. For others (like myself!), it means
putting out all your workout clothes the night before, so you can roll right
out of bed the next morning and hit the gym.
If you are trying to follow a meal
plan, despite a hectic work schedule, make your food the night before! If
you’re not starving when you prepare your food, you’re less likely to deviate
from your plan—and when hunger finally strikes, you’ll be ready!
Finally, when you plan ahead you can
also utilize mental imagery. Imagine
yourself doing the activities you’ve planned. Imagine how good you’ll feel when
you follow through. Tell yourself that you are doing these things because you want to, not because you have to. Positive thinking helps you follow through
with your plans!
Stay Accountable:
Get a personal
trainer. If you know that you have to awaken at 6:00 a.m. because someone is
expecting you, you’re less likely to cancel that date. No one likes
a flake! You could plan which days
of the week you are going to workout. Feel like your bed is too warm and cozy
to abandon? Your fitness trainer can text you just in case, to remind you that
working out gives you energy all day long…probably more than 20 minutes under
the covers will.
If you’re working on your diet,
keep a food journal to track your calories. When that’s too hard, take pictures
of your meals with your smart phone so you can remind yourself of your goals
and to check in with your fitness professional. This visual proof can help you
on your fitness journey. When you’re staring those numbers or images in the
face, you can’t sugarcoat your diet mishaps anymore. “Oh, I slipped a little
today”, turns into “Okay, I ate two donuts for breakfast and I need to fix
that”. Then think about what you can do better next time so that you don’t feel
that way again. Face the facts and
stay accountable!
Motivation comes from
within. Even if you need someone else’s help, you are still making a
conscious decision to do something about your health. It doesn’t matter how you reach your fitness goals, as
long as you recognize that, by doing something everyday, you’ll find a way to reach them.
Remember: “You are
more powerful than you think”!
Wishing you the best this holiday weekend,
Abu Pigott
Aurora Baxter
