Was your New Year’s resolution a healthy start? Are you trying to lose weight but it seems not to be working? Are you doing a cleanse but craving a chocolate bar? Well, I hate to break it to you, but there are more efficient ways of expelling the toxins from your body without sending your system into starvation mode. Trust me.
Our society has become obsessed with their weight. It isn’t a bad thing, we have become more aware of what we eat, how much we consume and along the way we have found a love/hate relationship with the gym. We try absolutely EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to drop 10 pounds in a week. Sound familiar? The sad thing is, life doesn’t work that way.
The problem lies with the relationship we have with our bodies and ourselves. From juice cleanses to restricting our diets, it seems to me that we have the wrong idea what being “healthy” and “in shape” really means. Being healthy is not a quick time fix. You have to commit to it.
So instead of forcing a sugar-filled juice down your throat or killing yourself at the gym, you should try resetting your body. It is time to let go of the fad diets and calorie counting and reset your body, mind and soul. Follow our tips below for rebuilding your relationship with your health and body.
#1: Clear Your Mind
Did you know that one of the number one triggers to weight gain and a weak immune systems is stress? When your body is under stress, it releases unneeded amounts of adrenalin, cortisol and insulin. It also increases anxiety and negativity. A clear mind leads to better thoughts. Start a journal, set your goals but make sure they are obtainable and realistic. Do not be too hard on yourself and always remember to breathe.
#2: Get In Some Extra Z’s
Lack of sleep also contributes to an unhealthy lifestyle. It is super important to get a good nights sleep, especially if you are trying to get into shape. Try hitting the pillow by 10 pm and waking up at 6 to get a full 8 hours of sleep. Also, naps should never be out of the question.
#3: Disconnect
The average person spends 10 hours a day on an electronic devise. THAT IS INSANE. Try to not touch your phone when you wake up in the morning. Take more “breaks” at work by walking around the office. Don’t take your phone out of your pocket until after dinner. Read a book instead of watching Netflix. Seriously, get creative and decrease the amount of hours you mindlessly stare at a screen.
#4: Drink A Lot Of Water
Water is the best cleanse for your body. It clears out toxins, your skin and ensures a healthy mind. Stay hydrated by trying to consume more than eight 8-once glasses a day. Water is life, keep that in mind. Remember to use an eco-friendly water bottle 🙂
#5: Eat Mindfully
Have you ever ate a meal in front of the television or while you were scrolling through Instagram to only realize you were completely stuffed 3 plates ago? Well, that is because you were distracted and not listening to your body’s signals. Mindful eating leads to better choices. When you find yourself constantly snacking it is because you are not listening to your body. So turn off the distractions and get back to the basics of eating.
#6: The Numbers On The Scale Do Not Matter
I had a very interesting conversation with my friends the other weekend about this and I can not stress enough that the numbers on the scale do not matter. We all said that whenever we stepped on the scale, we were shocked by the number we saw. In no way did we think we could be that certain weight and among each of us did we think the other weighed X amount. That is because everyone weighs differently. This could be from several factors; muscle build, height, retaining water. It is a fact that muscle weighs more than fat. So when you step on the scale and see a number you do not like, do not freak out. Focus on how you look in the mirror, how you feel and the way your skinny jeans fit. That is why it is time to throw the scale in the back of your closet and forget about it.
#7: Start Slow
Repeat after me: slow and steady wins the race. Change is not going to happen over night so set daily, weekly and monthly goals that you can meet. A few ideas could be eating breakfast everyday, going to the gym before work or trying a new workout. You can do it, don’t be discouraged!
#8: Eat the Right Stuff
I will keep this straight to the point. Cut out all dairy, processed foods and sugar. Eat rich in fiber, colorful foods and pack on the protein. Make sure your fruits and vegetables are a priority. Eat healthy fats (AVOCADOS). Go organic. Try plant-based proteins which have many benefits; warding off diabetes, decreasing risk of heart disease, and making weight easier to manage. Forget about the diets and give your body what it needs. Proportions are key.
#9: Exercise
In the words of Elle Woods: “Exercise increases endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t kill their husbands.”
Move your body and celebrate what it can do. It can be as simple as going for a walk or challenging as a boxing class. Set up a schedule that works for you! I am a huge advocate of the BBG Workout Guides by Kayla Itsines. Its Monday-Wednesday-Friday HIIT and Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday LISS training schedule works great for my week and my body. So find a schedule that works for you that incorporates both high-intensity and low-intensity workouts and at least one day of rest. Don’t forget to incorporate weight training into your program as well!
#10: Stop Obsessing
In order to maintain a healthy lifestyle, it is important to balance your life. Spend time with friends, have a drink or a few pieces of chocolate. It is normal! Don’t deprive yourself of things your body needs. This doesn’t mean binge out on a pint of ice cream but it’s okay to relax a little bit. Don’t get upset with yourself for having a bagel or go crazy because you do not look like the image in your head. Learn the difference between what your body needs and what you want in the moment.
