This is arguably the hardest time of year to try to lose weight. We are two weeks out from Christmas. That means we are in Halloween/Thanksgiving recovery, full blown holiday party mode and large family holiday meal anticipation. It is ROUGH. You have those moments when you sink your teeth into a Christmas cookie and everything in the world seems right. A few moments later you are overwhelmed with guilt, frustration an regret.
Eating at this time of year is an emotional roller coaster.
I thought you may need a pep talk.
I want you to understand that it is entirely possible to reach your fitness, nutrition and health goals as we approach the end of the year – but you have to keep your head in the right place. Do not give into the negative self talk AND do not give into the need for immediate gratification (put the dang cookie down!) Keep your chin up and bear in mind that this process – the process of losing weight and maintaining weight loss – is a journey. It is not do or die from one day to the next. It is one foot in front of the other, workout after workout. On bite after the other, meal after meal. It is a lifestyle that you cannot make or break by one lousy weekend of indulgence.
A HUGE PART OF SUCCESS IS THE ABILITY TO STICK WITH THE DREAM FOR A LONG TIME.
This isn’t about dropping 10 pounds in 2 weeks. It is about building a lifestyle and body you can maintain for the rest of your life. If you’re doing that correctly, you are building a strong foundation by layering consistent workouts (3-5 days a week), healthy meals (80-90% clean eating), above average water intake (1/2 your body weight in ounces, daily), decent sleep (6-8 hours a night), and a positive attitude and mindset (believing in yourself and surrounding yourself with positive influences). Not everyday will be perfect. Not everyday will have all these components. Be okay with that.
CONSISTENT EFFORT + TIME = RESULTS
This is a journey. Learn from the journey. Love the journey. The journey will change you inside and out. The end goal is awesome, of course, but the journey will make you stronger mentally, emotionally, physically. It will teach you many things about yourself, some good, some not so good. Through the journey you gain knowledge. Knowledge is power. I KNOW I cannot keep chips in my house. If they are there, I will eat them. That is powerful knowledge that lead to a long term change (no chips at my house anymore.)
Temptation will always be right outside your door. . . Or perhaps right inside your fridge. . . Or on the snooze button of your clock on those mornings when you should get up to sweat, but your body is aching to stay in bed. But the stronger you get mentally and emotionally the more you will be able to walk away from the things you know will not help you meet your goals.
EVERY DECISION YOU MAKE TAKES YOU CLOSER TO OR FURTHER FROM YOUR GOALS.
You can move toward pleasure or pain. While the cake and cookies may give you immediate pleasure, they will likely, ultimately, give you pain. . . Pain in the form of frustration and regret. Choosing to limit your indulgences and stick with your workouts this time of year, while perhaps a bit painful in the moment, will lead you to pleasure and pride. GO THERE.
As you encounter temptations over the next couple weeks, see opportunity. You have the opportunity to better yourself starting NOW. Don’t let this be optional. Commit to yourself.
Instead of waiting until 2012, start now.
CHANGE THE RULES.
RAISE THE BAR.
PLAY A DIFFERENT GAME.
PLAY IT BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE.
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