If You Always Do What You've Always Done,…
You will always get what you always got. This applies to many areas in our lives, but obviously I’m going to focus on the health and fitness aspect. How long have you been saying you’re going to lose 5, 10, 20, or 100 pounds? You may have tried many different things to make this change a reality; supplements, various diets, quick-fix exercise gadgets, etc. But if you truly look back over the year(s) what have you really changed? In order for something to stand the test of time, you need to make it realistic and sustainable. Here are a few ideas to (finally) make your goals a reality.
1. Change 1 thing in your diet: Instead of completely over-hauling your diet and throwing everything out of your pantry, start by changing 1 thing. Add a piece of fruit to your lunch. Add a vegetable to your dinner. Don’t eat anything after 7:00 pm. Or swap an otherwise high-calorie snack out for a piece of fruit every day. After this change is part of your routine, change 1 more thing. If you implement your changes gradually, maybe 1 change each week, you are more likely to be able to adhere to the changes and see real results in your health.
2. Don’t think of exercise as “exercise”: Many people have a subconscious aversion to the word “exercise,” and the mere thought of participating in any form of it, just brings on negative thoughts and even anxiety. All of the sudden you couldn’t possibly find time to go to the gym, let alone get down to the basement to use your treadmill. Start by adding more “activity” into your day. Aim for 10-15 minutes more than you are doing right now. Next week, bump it up to 20 and so on, trying to get at least 30 minutes in on most days of the week. Go for a walk, play outside with your kids, walk to the store when you just need a couple things. As you begin to feel more energized, start increasing your intensity and seek out more exercise related things. But for now, just start moving.
3. Change your Exercise Routine: You’ve been participating in regular exercise for a good while now – great job!! If you’ve plateaued or just are not seeing results overall, add something else in. If you work out during the week, add a day on the weekend. Increase your intensity on the exercise you’re already doing. Add intervals. Try different strength exercises. Try something new on your “off” days. If you always exercise in a gym, go for a walk outside. Take an evening yoga class. Add something more to what you’re already doing. Whatever you do, don’t stop. You are reaping wonderful benefits out of what you’re currently doing.
Albert Einstein is widely credited with saying “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”. Start slow, start now, and make a change.
