Getting into a healthy routine is really important on so many levels. It has an effect on how you feel, how you fit in your clothes, your physical health and your mental health.
The problem I find with many people is that they are either on it or off it. On a diet or off a diet. Working out consistently or not. But everyone I know, when they stop exercising, always get to a point when they need to start doing something again, so why stop in the first place? Surely it is harder work to keep going on and off something, than it is to keep battling through.
The real problem I see, is that people don’t like feeling like failures and if we feel like we’re failing at something, we want to quit, rather than push on. It’s human nature, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do, it’s not. Struggling your way to success is the only way people achieve success, there is no straight line! Struggling is a PART of success.
The only impossible journey is the one you never begin. Tony Robbins
Take for example Lisa, who works out consistently, but hasn’t yet cracked the food side of things. Rather than Lisa focusing on the fact that she workouts, and all the positive things that come with that, she focuses on the fact that her sessions feel like a waste of her time, because she’s not losing weight as her food is so bad.
Bad mindset.
Lisa is in fact a legend, who has been through some very difficult life challenges. In spite of this, Lisa is working out every day, therefore helping her heart, her cholesterol levels, her mental health, her confidence, her muscles, her bones, her skin and her sleep, to name but a few.
Lisa is in fact quite a legend. Lisa should know that the food side of things will eventually come, if she continues to work at it. Lisa is most definitely not a failure and our lives are not all about the weight we gain or lose.
It’s very common to go through a phase of eating more when you’re going through a time of adjustment. This happens to me every time. But does that mean she shouldn’t workout? Sure that is a CRACKED way of thinking. But unfortunately, the weight loss industry and society has made women think that the two have to be so connected.
To get into a good routine, the pressure must come off first. Stop heaping massive amounts of pressure on yourself at the start. It’s not about getting a six-pack. People who have six packs do not have a life. Choose your goals but make sure they match the lifestyle that you love.
Focus on healthy, positive habits.
Get into a good routine with your workouts, focusing on your attendance first. Focus on getting two litres of water in every day.
Gradually work at cutting out the crap food during the week. Eat proper meals. 3 Meals and 2 snacks. Have a positive mindset. Don’t stare at the mirror and call yourself fat. Get out in the fresh air. Live your life, you have one life. Enjoy yourself. Make sure your clothes fit, while still enjoying yourself. Always keep the balance.
Go out and shine your light and stop being negative on yourself. Enjoy your workouts and have fun in them! They are not just a tool for losing weight. They are a complete gift and we’re so lucky.
I hope this helps,
Jessica Cooke X
