Do You Have the Right Attitude For a Healthy Shapely Body?
What causes weight gain?
In the absence of a medical reason, it comes down to habits. Of course aging plays some role in slowing our metabolism, but it is no excuse for getting completely overweight and out of shape!
For most people, getting that healthy shapely body you dream of will require some new habits to start, and old ones to end. You need:
- Portion control (even with healthy foods)
- Limiting unhealthy foods
- Regular exercise
- A positive attitude
Nobody changes habits without a strong reason. So the first step toward your goal is to determine why you want it. It better be a true burning desire or it won’t be strong enough to get you through the really rough times.
Next, you must be constantly vigilant and remove all negative thoughts, such as:
- Why do I struggle when others seems to be skinny by design? It’s not fair!
- I feel deprived.
- I don’t have time to exercise.
- I don’t have time to prepare healthy food.
- I’m too tired.
- I’ve always been heavy, why do I think this will work?
- Nobody supports me.
These and many other negative thoughts will pop up from time to time. It’s really important that you not feel sorry for yourself on this journey, or at least don’t wallow in it! You must remain positive. If you have a strong enough reason to want success, it can pull you through.
What else can help?
- A buddy with similar goals
- A support group, whether live or online
- A vision board
- Affirmations
- Keeping a food and exercise journal
- Email newsletters with helpful information
- Magazines about weight loss, health, and fitness
- Healthy recipes for new ideas
- Getting rid of clothes as they get too big
- Giving yourself small rewards (not food!) for reaching interim goals
If you have a long way to go to reach your goal, don’t focus on the numbers at the end. Set small interim goals and focus on those, with just a vision of what you will look like and how great you will feel for your final goal. Focus on losing 5 pounds at a time, or focus on behavior changes such as:
- Exercising most days
- Increasing exercise duration and/or intensity
- Keeping your journal
- Measuring portions
- Reading labels
- Eating more fruits and vegetables
- Staying in touch with your support (even when you have strayed from your plan)
Surround yourself with as many positive influences as you can. Avoid as many negative influences as you can (including friends and relatives who are not supportive.) And if you begin to sabotage your own efforts, ask yourself this one vital question:
Why am I afraid to succeed?
Success at this endeavor truly begins, and ends, in your head!
Dale Reynolds
Develop and Keep a Healthy Shapely Body
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dale_Reynolds
http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Have-the-Right-Attitude-For-a-Healthy-Shapely-Body?&id=4822766
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