I am not sure where you are in your health journey. Whether you're just starting out, looking for motivation, or are a die-hard athlete. My aim is to help those who struggle with what most of us struggle with, which is motivation. It often seems to be one of the biggest game changers for people who see results to people who lack results. Time and money and also big obstacles but if you have the motivation to see changes in your life, the rest of those excuses really do fade away.
If you are motivated enough you will get up at 5am to run or workout. If you are motivated enough you will forget what a gym membership costs or find other ways to workout. There are plans online, at the library, or even just talking to your friends...nothing will stop you from exercising, from training, from working out if you REALLY want to see changes in your life. Nothing will matter when you go to the grocery store and spend $4.99 on 2lb bag of apples instead of the $2 bag of chips. You will purchase meat bundles for $30 instead of cheap box dinners. (okay yes...SOME of the box dinners MIGHT be okay depending on your diet...but certainly not ALL of them.)
If you want it bad enough you will find a way to make those changes happen in your life. The biggest thing with realizing your goals is understanding that it's more than just looking good. MORE THAN just wearing a size 2 jeans, more than just comparing yourself to every supermodel, body builder, actress/actor...your neighbor, your best friend, your coworker.
It is a LIFE STYLE change. It is about feeling better,having more energy, a more positive mind set, no more tummy troubles, no more "leaky gut syndrome". It is about "looking better" , having clearer skin, more confidence, finding strength in the journey. Finding faith in the journey. Realizing that every step is gaining more ground towards a better you.
I talked to 6 people I know & love about their health & wellness journeys, their responses might just shock you.
I asked each person the same basic question...What are your top lessons you learned from your health journey. I'll give you a little bit them over the next few days.
First is a lady I have a MAJOR foodie crush on. She takes impeccable pictures, just on her iphone!! I would love to spend a week just eating anything she cooks up.
After struggling with life threatening food allergies Lindsey made the tough decision to go totally paleo. A lifestyle, still largely misunderstod. For Lindsey it was more than just dropping "a few" pounds, it's really about how it made her feel.
#1- "We underestimate the impact of sleep and stress on our bodies." After leaving her company 2 months ago her diet didn't change but yet she dropped weight and felt "so much better. In fact I was working out more when I was in that job and packed on a lot of weight. Diet and exercise are huge, but we can't on only those things."
#2-"Health is a mental game" as well. "Just because you change your diet doesn't mean you deal with the underlying emotional things." It's an interesting statistic to look at, the people who have successful weight loss surgery versus those who gain it right back, especially if they don't fix what's on the inside. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive & Kidney Disease, weight regain happens when patients eat high-calorie soft foods that easily pass through the opening to the stomach. Others gain weight because they do not change their eating habits and do not lose much weight to begin with. Successful results depend on the patients willingness to adopt a long term plan for healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Lindsey goes on to say "{Dealing with} The emotional {aspects} of being diagnosed with a health condition you didn't ask for and now have to live a life people don't fully understand. {is also hard}" (Such as living with PCOS, life threatening allergies, suffering from IBS or a disease such as colitis.)
#3"We have to approach our new life with an openness and let go of our past understanding that food {functioning} as comfort, acceptance, and control isn't the problem. Sociological (Like eating out with friends who encourage you to over eat or under eat) and psychological (such as thinking that food is in control, eating to feel better, etc.) relationships are.
#4 "It's not the job of food companies to make you healthy. That's your job. You have a choice over what you buy." This is a great one. I still like to purchase box (gluten/dairy/soy free) cookies, but eating a box of something that's minus a few ingredients, doesn't make it healthy. Think about what you are putting into your body.
#5"Fixating on how our culture defines "pretty" and "skinny" and making those your goals will only result in failure." You'll be upset that you aren't living up to some crappy standard set by an industry standard versus a "YOU" centered standard. Lindsey said "I look back at photos form last year and the year before when I was 15lbs lighter than I am now and remember how hard I was on myself. I thought I was ugly and fat. I thought no guy would ever be attracted to me. I wasted so much energy on this self hate because I would never be a size 2. Because of the emotional work I've done, I look at myself now and know that I'm not perfect, but I'm happier and more satisfied. I'm done wasting the emotional energy thinking I'm suppose to look a certain way. I've only been given one body. How can I celebrate and treat it well?"
Well said Lindsey! (Thank you so much for responding to my email. Seriously...anytime you're in town stop by...fix me everything I can freeze and reheat later! )
I had a really hard time accepting myself as well. Being over weight, having terrible skin. I knew I didn't look like "other girls" but I knew how to have a large personality. So that people would see beyond my looks. Losing the weight I gained more confidence but it still didn't fix me on the inside. I finally just decided one day to own it. I own this. My body. My face. Might as well be proud of if and all the work I've done. So, I have a few spots that I don't exactly whip out the camera and say "Hey! Look at my fat deposit on my left hip! Doesn't that look funny? Or the saggy bit of skin the divides itself in the middle of my lower tummy...whatever. I Own This. I Own Me. I'm proud of who I've become. For a guys perspective on weight loss & confidence, check out this guys story after losing 160lbs!!
Blessings Everyone,
Have a BeYOUtiful day,
A
If you are motivated enough you will get up at 5am to run or workout. If you are motivated enough you will forget what a gym membership costs or find other ways to workout. There are plans online, at the library, or even just talking to your friends...nothing will stop you from exercising, from training, from working out if you REALLY want to see changes in your life. Nothing will matter when you go to the grocery store and spend $4.99 on 2lb bag of apples instead of the $2 bag of chips. You will purchase meat bundles for $30 instead of cheap box dinners. (okay yes...SOME of the box dinners MIGHT be okay depending on your diet...but certainly not ALL of them.)
If you want it bad enough you will find a way to make those changes happen in your life. The biggest thing with realizing your goals is understanding that it's more than just looking good. MORE THAN just wearing a size 2 jeans, more than just comparing yourself to every supermodel, body builder, actress/actor...your neighbor, your best friend, your coworker.
It is a LIFE STYLE change. It is about feeling better,having more energy, a more positive mind set, no more tummy troubles, no more "leaky gut syndrome". It is about "looking better" , having clearer skin, more confidence, finding strength in the journey. Finding faith in the journey. Realizing that every step is gaining more ground towards a better you.
I talked to 6 people I know & love about their health & wellness journeys, their responses might just shock you.
I asked each person the same basic question...What are your top lessons you learned from your health journey. I'll give you a little bit them over the next few days.
First is a lady I have a MAJOR foodie crush on. She takes impeccable pictures, just on her iphone!! I would love to spend a week just eating anything she cooks up.
After struggling with life threatening food allergies Lindsey made the tough decision to go totally paleo. A lifestyle, still largely misunderstod. For Lindsey it was more than just dropping "a few" pounds, it's really about how it made her feel.
#1- "We underestimate the impact of sleep and stress on our bodies." After leaving her company 2 months ago her diet didn't change but yet she dropped weight and felt "so much better. In fact I was working out more when I was in that job and packed on a lot of weight. Diet and exercise are huge, but we can't on only those things."
#2-"Health is a mental game" as well. "Just because you change your diet doesn't mean you deal with the underlying emotional things." It's an interesting statistic to look at, the people who have successful weight loss surgery versus those who gain it right back, especially if they don't fix what's on the inside. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive & Kidney Disease, weight regain happens when patients eat high-calorie soft foods that easily pass through the opening to the stomach. Others gain weight because they do not change their eating habits and do not lose much weight to begin with. Successful results depend on the patients willingness to adopt a long term plan for healthy eating and regular physical activity.
Lindsey goes on to say "{Dealing with} The emotional {aspects} of being diagnosed with a health condition you didn't ask for and now have to live a life people don't fully understand. {is also hard}" (Such as living with PCOS, life threatening allergies, suffering from IBS or a disease such as colitis.)
#5"Fixating on how our culture defines "pretty" and "skinny" and making those your goals will only result in failure." You'll be upset that you aren't living up to some crappy standard set by an industry standard versus a "YOU" centered standard. Lindsey said "I look back at photos form last year and the year before when I was 15lbs lighter than I am now and remember how hard I was on myself. I thought I was ugly and fat. I thought no guy would ever be attracted to me. I wasted so much energy on this self hate because I would never be a size 2. Because of the emotional work I've done, I look at myself now and know that I'm not perfect, but I'm happier and more satisfied. I'm done wasting the emotional energy thinking I'm suppose to look a certain way. I've only been given one body. How can I celebrate and treat it well?"
Well said Lindsey! (Thank you so much for responding to my email. Seriously...anytime you're in town stop by...fix me everything I can freeze and reheat later! )
I had a really hard time accepting myself as well. Being over weight, having terrible skin. I knew I didn't look like "other girls" but I knew how to have a large personality. So that people would see beyond my looks. Losing the weight I gained more confidence but it still didn't fix me on the inside. I finally just decided one day to own it. I own this. My body. My face. Might as well be proud of if and all the work I've done. So, I have a few spots that I don't exactly whip out the camera and say "Hey! Look at my fat deposit on my left hip! Doesn't that look funny? Or the saggy bit of skin the divides itself in the middle of my lower tummy...whatever. I Own This. I Own Me. I'm proud of who I've become. For a guys perspective on weight loss & confidence, check out this guys story after losing 160lbs!!
Blessings Everyone,
Have a BeYOUtiful day,
A
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