This is awesome but the struggle is usually not in starting but in the maintaining. We all need to start the process of getting healthy but even more important is being able to continue the lifestyle.
As we progress in our fitness journey, things often become less important. Our determined mental game starts to soften.
Week three of the start may not feel as good or exciting anymore. Other things take priority and somehow being too busy to exercise or eat right dampen our motivation.
Week four seems to be filled with obligations that become more important than the promise we made to ourselves to get healthy.
Week five may involve a long vacation where fitness is set aside and anything goes with food that will surely expand the waistline. Exercise is also put on the back burner. I mean who wants to be active on vacation is the typical feedback.
In a short time, our goal to get healthy has taken a back seat and old patterns have returned. The struggle is real for many out there.
Processed foods have replaced the good carbohydrates consumed just a month ago. The menu has returned to pizza and burgers instead of lean proteins and healthy fats. Water intake is also not what it should be for optimal fitness. What happened?
Believe it or not, choices and behaviors like this happen all the time. It can cause feelings of failure, discouragement and many of us give up. None of us are immune to returning to poor eating habits and reasons not to exercise. We somehow think once we reach our goals, we can start slacking. We miss the point of getting in shape is staying in shape.
Lasting results happen when fitness becomes our lifestyle. This means being mindful of how we eat, staying active and getting plenty of rest. It also means taking responsibility for the choices causing us to return to unhealthy patterns. This will require getting back that motivation felt so strongly upon starting our fitness program.
If you are unable to do it alone, hire a qualified personal trainer or find a workout partner. If you are sabotaged at home, start creating two separate meals to ensure that you're eating healthy. If too busy seems to be a problem, it's time to review your priorities.
Achieving your fitness goals is a great accomplishment. Learning how to maintain them is truly what it means to live a healthy lifestyle.
Be well and Stay Healthy |