Allllllllrrrrrighty then, let’s talk about starting your health journey!
(Sorry, I’ve been watching too much Sister Sister on Netflix)
I know, it’s almost the end of 2020 and I want to talk about starting something. Why, yes I do. Why?
Because you don’t need to wait to start your health journey on a Monday, or the first of the month or the beginning of a new year, you can start TODAY! You can start on a Tuesday ( or a Friday if you’re reading this today).
I’ve summarized my points below but going to delve into them deeper, so keep scrolling!
How to start and stick to your health journey:
- Understanding your why
- Have a plan
- Small steps
- Being honest with yourself
- Something is better than nothing
- Time for a jolt
- Progress over perfection
- Accountability
Step 1: Understanding your why
Ugh, you’ve probably heard this how many times by now? A lot. But there’s a reason…why. Simon Sinek wrote a book “Finding Your Why” and also did a Ted Talk, which I highly encourage you guys listen to! He talks about needing to understand your why in order to know your purpose.
Ask yourselves these five questions to guide you.
My why is because I know feeling strong and pushing myself beyond my comfort zone makes me feel like I can accomplish so much in this world. It makes me feel like there’s more to me than just me. I also want to continue living an exciting and fulfilling life when I’m in my 70s and in order to do that, I need to start taking care of myself from now.
Step 2: Have a plan
I don’t mean just meal plan for one week and then that’s it. Have an actual plan, with goals, meal plan for a few weeks and a workout plan. Why? Because the beginning part of this journey can get a little bumpy and rough, and you may have those moments of weakness more than you expect. This plan will help you stay on track by making it EASY to stay on track.
If someone just told us what to do, how often to do it, what to eat, etc. It would be much easier to stick to a plan.
Ask a Health Coach (like myself) to put together a plan for you, or google/Pinterest away to construct a mini program or plan just for you!
Step 3: Small steps
Okay, you’ve realized your why and now you’re motivated and full of this energy to get this journey kickstarted! And you got your handy dandy plan ready to go!
You hit the ground running, awesome! But…you start to run out of gas and slowly start to go into a jog, then to a walk, then to sitting.
Small steps, you guys. If you are genuinely tired of yo-yo-ing, then take small steps! Not too small, but ease into it. Master one thing at a time. If you’re struggling with night binges and feeling guilty and regretful after them, then start with that and focus on that for a few weeks!
Remember, this journey is something that shouldn’t have an end destination, it’s just about the road to get there. The destination is to always be happy with your body and how you feel.
Step 4: Being honest with yourself
As they say, honesty is the best policy. And it’s most important to have this policy with yourself.
You’ve started your health journey and it’s going well. You’re going to have hiccups and setbacks, and that’s natural. But, remember to always be honest with yourself.
Ask yourself,
- Can I eat better throughout the day?
- Can I push myself more in my workout?
- Can I try to drink more water throughout the day?
This journey isn’t easy, and sometimes we get a little…lazy (I don’t like using the L-word). I totally get it, trust me! In those moments of honesty, remind yourself I can do better, and always go back to your why.
Step 5: Something is better than nothing
I love it when people say, “I’m going to start working out and eating healthy when things settle down.”
Uh hello, it’s life – things do not settle down!
Life will never wait for you to figure out when to start taking care of yourself, you just have to start!
Since I’ve become a mother, this mindset has helped me immensely. Life definitely got busier after having Abbasali, and it’s been a blessing of course. I had to really understand that I’m not always going to get to do my full 1 hour workout or workout 5 – 6 days a week.
So I told myself, well if I can do something, that’s better than nothing. And honestly, I truly feel this is the one thing that’s helped me feel and see the progress that I have in the past year.
Also, make that something COUNT!
Doing 50 squats is always better than not doing 50 squats. Going for a 20 minute walk is always better than not going for a 20 minute walk. Something is ALWAYS better than nothing.
Step 6: Time for a jolt!
Your health journey is going really well, and you’re seeing the changes in the way clothes fit and maybe some more definition here and there. But, then you start to hit a plateau.
Uhoh, it’s not working anymore.
No, it still is – it’s just possible that your body may have gotten comfortable and needs a little jolt! That means you either have to change up your workout routine or change the way you’re eating a little bit.
I know we all love when it’s easy and simple, but the best things in life come when there’s a little challenge. So yeah doing more squats or holding that side plank for a little longer is uncomfortable and difficult, but that’s where results come in and the feeling of knowing you are stronger and made of more than you think you are.
And that my friends, is a feeling that’s totally worth the struggle.
Step 7: Progress over perfection
I’ve got the mom bod and I ain’t even ashamed about it. Why? Because my focus is to strive for my body to get stronger and have more quality mobility in my exercises, not a perfect body.
Yes, I’m still human and I have moments of insecurity and want to look like that other mom with the nice curves and smooth tummy. But, in the end, I’m proud and happy with my body because I’m always striving to be better, stronger and when that’s the focus, the toned, smooth, whatever-other-adjective- you-want-to-use body, comes with it.
Step 8: Accountability
Guys, this is probably the most important step to starting and sticking to your health journey. In the beginning of your journey and even for maybe throughout majority of it, you need to find someone that will hold you accountable and keep you checked in.
I feel like people are ashamed when they need someone to hold them accountable when it comes to taking care of their health. Because it’s your health and well-being, you should be able to do it on your own, right?
Well, if that was the case, then trust me the rates of obesity would be a lot less right now.
It’s difficult to fight those cravings, it’s difficult to say no on the weekends, it’s difficult to workout after going to class, taking care of your kids, or coming back to work.
It is HARD.
So why not ask for help or a buddy? Ego? Afraid? Insecure?
I think your body deserves more than that. YOU deserve more than that.
When looking for someone to hold you accountable, you need to find someone that will not be afraid to be strict with you, be honest with you and tell you when you’re going a little over the edge. My husband is my accountability partner, but sometimes your spouse isn’t someone that you know you can take seriously or keep you in check with your health, and that’s okay!
An accountability partner should be someone that wants what is best for you and wants to see you succeed and won’t get in the way of that (aka not someone you go to taco bell with when you feel like binging).
Truthfully, this is why I became a Health Coach and started my own business. I realized how much having someone by my side helped me get the engine started and going, till I was able to push myself and really understand why I needed to take care of myself everyday.
If after reading this blog post you feel like enough is enough and you want to start to put yourself first, then e-mail me at fskshealthyway@gmail.com and let’s talk!