How to Stay Consistent on Your Health Journey

We've all been there... "I'm going to lose the weight this time." "I found this new diet that I think will actually work for me." "I'm going to go all in this time. 100%. No cheats at all."

The problem is, big life changes toward health goals are HARD to maintain. Like, really, really, really hard. Sure, there are people who can do it. They cut all junk food cold turkey and start intense workouts everyday and stick to it.

But those people are the exception, not the rule.

For most of us, we really have to work at altering our lifestyle. We've tried time and time again. We are so consistent for 2, maybe 3 weeks, and then... we make a mistake. We eat a whole pizza. We skip a few workouts. We don't lose 10 lbs in 2 weeks and feel defeated.

So here are the top tips and tricks I used to be able to lose and keep off 50 lbs.

#1 Baby Steps

I know it's not what you want to hear, but start small. Your first week, don't try to be perfect. Make it a goal to cut out one item you know you shouldn't be eating and commit to 3 days that week of a 30 minute sweat sesh. Remember anything is better than nothing. Each week gradually progress. Add in more workout days, add in drinking 1/2 your bodyweight in ounces daily, add in more greens.

#2 NOTICE HOW I SAY ADD

Maintaining a growth and a positive mindset is key! You are adding in healthy things into your life, NOT eliminating the bad. When we think of elimination we start saying things like, "I can't eat that." or "I can't watch TV, I need to workout." You will fail if that is your outlook. Instead try, "I don't eat _________." (i.e. fast food, cake, sode, ect.) You can also use, "I'm prioritizing my health, so I'll workout first, then watch tv." Heck, if you do at home workouts like I do, you can do both at the same time! Haha.

#3 Give yourself grace

You will make mistakes. You will fall off the horse. Not everyday will be perfect. If you are an emotional eater like I was (am), it takes a lot of time and self-work to break that habit. Don't give up if you have a rough day and eat a gallon of icecream. It's okay. Decide to wake up the next day and be better. The key to consistency is failing and then trying again. You don't suck, you can do it.

#4 Look for healthy swaps

I was addicted and I mean ADDICTED to Jack in the Box french fries and chocolate shakes. So I made a healthy swap. I now satiate get my salty cravings with Kettle salt and vinegar chips or my roommates' homemade tortilla chips with guacamole. Instead of a chocolate shake, I have a superfoods chocolate shake. The thing seriously tastes like a milkshake, but is 100% vegan and equates to somewhere around 6 salads. Freaking score. There are lots of different supplements available like this. I love the kind I use, because my superfoods include several roots, berries, and mushrooms that help support brain function and regulate mood, which if you know me, you know is important. (See my post Being Bipolar) https://halligib.wixsite.com/thehword/post/being-bipolar

The point is, that are lots of healthy swaps, soda for La Croix, chocolate chip cookies for chocolate chip, banana, oat patties (literally my fav!), pasta for spaghetti squash, and so on and so on!

#5 Have community and accountability

Would you make a coffee date with a friend and then bail on them 5 minutes after you were supposed to meet up because you had decided you didn't want to stop watching Grey's Anatomy? OF COURSE YOU WOULDN'T! That would make you a shitty friend! Which is exactly why having community gives you accountability. If you know Julie is waiting for you at the gym or on the zoom link to do a workout together, you are not going to bail on Julie. That would be so lame! That's why you need accountability buddies to keep you going and hold you accountable to your goals! It's why I created my virtual gym. #accountabilityaf

#6 Focus on non-scale victories

Don't fixate on a goal weight. Instead, challenge yourself to see how many more burpees you can do this week, or how your clothing fits differently, or how you are smiling more. Weight is deceiving and not everything! Look at inches you've lost, or how your relationship with your loved ones had improved. Find things that make you feel positive. If you aren't seeing anything different, take it as a sign to switch up what you are doing, but still stay the course.

In the end there are literally millions of health success stories. If we can do it, so can you!