I'm not telling you all this to make myself feel better, or validate any of my excuses. (Because we all know that's what they are - EXCUSES!!) I'm just being honest in case there is anyone that feels the same way, you know that you are not the only one. :)
It all comes down to CONSISTENCY! I am kind of funny when it comes to working out. I start a new program, all fresh, ready to go, super motivated, my new calendar up on the wall - you know the drill. It's so fun! Then a week or two goes by and I'm thinking it must not be working because I'm not seeing the results yet. So I will see/hear about some other program that is producing amazing results and I will think - "I need to do THAT one!" It's kind of 'workout program ADD' I guess. I have changed my schedule, changed programs, and created so many hybrids that I could keep anyone busy for YEARS!
Every Beachbody program will get you amazing results. Every. Single. One. You just have to stick to them for more than 2 or 3 weeks! haha :) I have pretty much ALL the programs - and I like most of them too. I just need to pick one (or two) and stick with them!! I seriously don't know what happens in my head sometimes - it's all mental.
So here are some things I am doing WRONG:
1) I don't want it bad enough. It's true. You can pretty much answer ANY excuse back with, "Then you don't want it bad enough."
I'm too tired to get up early..... "Then you don't want it bad enough."
I don't really like veggies..... "Then you don't want it bad enough."
I don't have time to workout...."Then you don't want it bad enough."
See where I'm going with this?
2) I don't tell myself NO! I wouldn't let my kids eat half the crap I eat, so why do I let myself?? Seriously, why do we give in to that whiny voice in our heads that says "but I reaaaallly waaaant it!!?" That's how we got in this mess in the first place, right? :)
3) I had an "all-or-nothing" approach. I would eat so clean for the first half of the week, then by the weekend I'm craving (and eating) all kinds of junk, and skipping my workouts. No wonder I wasn't ever consistent! You need to find a way of eating that you can stick with FOREVER. You need to find workouts that you LOOK FORWARD to doing. If not, you will never keep it up - that simple.
4) I gave my "diet" a deadline. Every time I would start a new program, or try to eat clean, I would say I was doing it for ____ days, weeks, or months. Which is actually a pretty good thing to do. It's like setting goals, you need to set a time to reach them by. However, I would do really well during that time, and then after it was over go back to my old ways. Every. Single. Time. What I need to do instead is say that I am changing the way I eat...for good. That takes away all the restrictions I put on myself so hopefully I won't feel deprived, miserable and obsessing over all the things I can't have. Make sense?
Basically I need to cut myself a little slack. I know that people will say you won't reach your goals unless you are super-strict with your diet and workouts. I just don't want to be THAT girl. You know, the one who never eats a bite of anything she's not supposed to, the one who works out on vacation, and gets her workout in on Christmas morning. I have to find some moderation in order to make this a LASTING thing, and not just for a few months out of every year. I want to LIKE working out, to LOOK FORWARD to my workouts. I want to be okay with the way I eat, and not feel guilty or get weird looks every time I eat something I shouldn't.
I know it will take a little more time. I might not lose the weight as fast as everyone else. That's okay with me. We are always looking for the quick fix. When the weight doesn't fall off as fast as we think it should, we give up. Like that's gonna help us, right? Then after stopping and starting five different times over the year, we look back and we could have probably met our goals if we would just have stayed CONSISTENT!!
How do you know you've succeeded in breaking the yoyo cycle??
I just read this awhile ago, and it's so perfect: "You'll know you have it mastered when you eat the same on Saturdays that you do on Mondays."
So, here is how I am going to implement this.
1) I really really love the 21 Day Fix meal plan. I think it's great, pretty easy to stick to most days, and teaches you portion control. I am going to stick to it as much as I can, and not sweat the rest. I am trying to practice moderation and being more consistent on the weekends. :)
2) I am going to stick to my workout schedule as written. I understand there will be days I don't want to do the workout that's scheduled. Too bad. Sometimes we don't want to go to work either, but we just know we have to, right? My goal is to not miss more than 1 workout a week. (By the way, I just got Les Mills Pump and I will probably add in some Combat for extra cardio - see, I told you - there is something about having a new workout that gets me every time.) haha :)
3) I am going to "do my best, and forget the rest." I just need to get out of my head about this whole weight loss thing. When you change your habits and get your body healthy, the rest will fall into place. I will try to stay busy and not stress so much about every little thing.
4) This is my new way of life. I am 42 years old, with 4 kids. The days of just being able to work out sporadically and get back into shape are pretty much over for me. haha :) Now I get to worry about things like balancing my hormones, building muscle for bone strength, and keeping my metabolism steady. My health is suddenly very important to me. ;)
I have taken my before pics and measurements, and I will keep you all updated on how I'm doing with this. Wish me luck! haha
As always, feel free to contact me with any questions, or follow me on facebook!!
coachbethclark@outlook.com
https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/BodyRemodel