Staying focused on your wellness goals
We've all made those big lofty wellness goals before, I want to lose 20 pounds before this wedding (and the wedding is 1 month away), I want to start a new nutrition habit and stop eating late at night but have no plan in place to do that, or I want to lose 50 pounds in 3 months. Whatever that goal might be getting started is half the battle but sticking with a goal is another nut to crack.
What is your why?
We all have heard what is your why when you try and work towards your goals. I also like to include who do you want to become as part of your why. I like to envision the new version of you as your why.
Personally I see myself in flowy pants, tighter tank top, and ripped arms walking around a basketball gym watching my son and hubby coach and play respectively. What comes to mind for you when you envision your wellness goal?
Examples
- Running your first 5k
- Going to a yoga class
- Dancing salsa with your partner
- Sitting cross-legged in a circle of women
- Wearing the dress in the back of your closet that you kept because you want to feel confident in it again
Whatever your why is and your vision is what you can think about when you want to throw in the towel on your goal, or if it feels like it's taking a long time to reach it.
Make a plan
This might seem obvious but I know I often thrown out goals but had no tangible plan to reach them. How can I be disappointed in myself when I don't achieve them? You might need to hire a coach. If you're looking at a wellness goal do you want a personal trainer or a wellness coach? If you don't have the funds how can you make your own plan?
There are so many great resources to follow online but it will take more work to piecemeal your own plan together vs what a professional laid out but it is possible. Pinterest, YouTube or even scrolling IG and writing down workouts that excite you.
What are you going to do when the going gets tough
If you've ever set a large fitness goal you know it will take time to achieve it. Often when we get stuck we might be more tempted to throw in the towel vs trying something new.
Ideas on what to try
- Is there a friend to call?
- Is now the time you will hire someone for accountability once you're down to the last 10-15 pounds
- Do you need to switch up your routine? Has it gone stale
- Do you need to invest in a gym membership, or purchase new equipment for your home gym?
- Do you need to modify your nutrition?
- Can you throw a pillow on the ground and scream?
Write down what your contingency plan will be when things inevitable get hard. If you do want to hire someone to assist you the last bit of the way, start saving at the start of your journey.
Change takes time
I personally have lost 40-50 pounds 2x in my life. Once after my son and once when I was young and went out way too much. I wanted the weight gone like yesterday. But it didn't work that way. I needed to follow the plan I had set into place and know it will all work out. Somedays I doubted my plan but I stuck with it. I did all of my workouts, I ate the way I knew was going to fuel me. I stopped eating foods I knew weren't great for me. I trusted my process and stopped weighing myself daily. I know that might help some people but it also can drive you bananas. Know which camp you fall into.
I've seen people give up far too soon when trying to go after their big fitness goals. Or change their plan to often because they didn't get instant results. Plan hopping is not how you make lasting changes or get results. The body will respond when it's ready. Often when people plan hop from week to week not only is your body not knowing what's going on but mentally you're a bit all over the place. You might forget was I supposed to be doing this today or was Wednesday my leg workout?
Trust yourself and your body. In Ayurveda we say it takes 30-45 days to process through the food you ate. Meaning if you program hop every 2 weeks you have no idea what is working for you and what's not. So stick with your workout & nutrition routine for at least 45 days to see what results it produces before deciding to switch things up.
Conclusion
Starting is hard, but sticking with something is harder. Often you see those workout people who love to run everyday, and eat salads or healthy for every meal. Well that's not always the case. Some people love how it makes them feel after and knows that eating more veggies feels better than a plate of french fries & burgers do. It is always a choice and you get to make many choices throughout your day. Just because you missed your morning walk doesn't mean you can't sneak one in somewhere else in your day. The same thing for a meal, just because you ate a cookie after lunch doesn't mean the entire day is "ruined" just make a different choice at your next meal. It sounds simple and it can be if you choose to frame it that way.
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