If you decided that eating healthy and starting an exercise program in January would make you feel more energized and help alleviate that drag you felt throughout the day…were you able to stick with your plan? Is this the tenth time you promised yourself to lose weight and, so far, you feel as if you failed? If so, don’t be so hard on yourself and stop the negative self-talk.
For some people the New Year isn’t necessarily about making a fresh start as much as it is a time for reflection on the past and moving forward toward the future. Getting back on track can be as simple as keeping a promise you made to yourself.
Try a few of my personal strategies to lift post-holiday gloom.
- Relive sweet memories – it’s the month we celebrate Valentine’s Day.
- Make plans with old friends you haven’t seen in a while.
- Buy healthier foods and trash the junk food. In fact, don’t bring unhealthy food into your house.
- Avoid negative food temptations (especially after dinner); you’ll wake-up in the morning feeling better about yourself.
- Become more active and you’ll feel your mood shift. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, even 10 to 15 minutes, three times a week, can make a difference.
- Show gratitude, it can significantly increase your desire for life satisfaction.
If getting more fit was one of your basic goals, you still can achieve your objectives; however you must make up your mind to stay consistent with your plan. Schedule your time for exercise as you would with any other important appointment or event. For example, I originally made plans to get a manicure; instead I cancelled it so I could return to my meditation class. It keeps me centered.
If you’ve been blowing off exercise and are not thrilled with going to the gym, there are other options. My Fitness Tune-Ups program offers a fresh start to either your stalled exercise program or a conduit to learn NEW, fun, and progressive exercises. Also, if you already exercise but are not sure which activities need to be modified or progressed, Fitness Tune-Up sessions can be your solution.
Whatever choices you make, if you re-focus your priorities for a healthier self, you can eliminate the excuses you’ve been carrying around.
For more information and tips for you or someone you love on topics related to good heart health, reducing pain from arthritis or injury, improving balance and more, follow us on Facebook, check out our website www.lorimichielfitness.com to sign up for “Fitting News”, the e-newsletter with informative tips for health and exercise, email us or simply call us at 818-620-1442 for a consultation.