Like most Americans, people in Honolulu, HI, created New Year’s resolutions and goals. That’s wonderful, but you must keep those resolutions and work on those goals. It’s easy to stay motivated for the first few days, but after a few weeks, you’re not as excited as you were when you started. You may say you’re too busy to exercise one day, so you skip your workout. Unfortunately, you’re putting your exercise program at risk because one day becomes two, then ten, and then you forget it was even a goal. The same is true for eating healthy or any other fitness goal.
Have a solid reason for creating that goal.
If you set a resolution of losing twenty pounds by eating healthier, exercising regularly, or doing both, know why that’s important. If it’s for health, to lower your blood pressure, or to build your energy and look better, then good for you. If it’s because someone told you that you should do it, you may agree, but it’s not your priority, so you won’t stick with that goal unless that person is your doctor.
It’s a challenge and fun to have a big goal, but it can be intimidating.
Having a big goal makes it more exciting, but big goals take a long time. You can lose your motivation before you achieve a small part of it. Keep that big goal but break it down to mini goals you can achieve weekly. If you want to lose 40 pounds, identify how much you can lose each week. It takes a 3500-calorie deficit to shed one pound. You can create that deficit by consuming fewer calories, burning more, or doing both. Make your mini goal 2 pounds a week to reach your big goal in 20 weeks.
Create a new photo album on your phone.
Before you start, take a picture of your mirror reflection with a close-fitting outfit highlighting your body’s form and repeat the process weekly. Do it in the same spot and wear the same outfit. It will take a few weeks to see any difference, but it’s at the perfect time. It’s when you start losing motivation. When you look back several weeks, you’ll notice the difference. Seeing the difference can keep you motivated.
- Meal plan and cook your meals for the week. Make healthy snacks easily accessible. Clean and cut watermelon and cantaloupe into bite-size pieces and prepare veggies and a healthy dip for snacks.
- Eat mindfully. Take smaller servings of everything but vegetables and salad. Eat slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly as you notice its texture and taste. When you exercise, feel each muscle when you move them.
- Exercise with a friend, join a class or use a personal trainer. When you workout with someone else, they hold you accountable for showing up and pushing as hard as possible.
- Put exercising on your calendar as you would any appointment. Do it at the same time every day so it becomes a habit. If your schedule gets crazy as the day wears on, do it first thing in the morning.
For more information, contact us today at Hawaii Fit Camp!