I recently just restarted my healthy lifestyle, as I had previously lost weight, but sadly gained much of it back. I have noticed many things since restarting and some of the things with how I used to try to be "healthy" are scary. But In this I will also mention a few positive things that I really enjoy about a healthy lifestyle! Now before you read mind that I AM NOT A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. I also am not trying to tell you how or why to work out. I am just giving my point of view and what I have learned from personal experience. Everyone is different.
1. Obsessive habits.
This one is scariest because I think back to when I first lost all my weight to now. Back when I first started I fixed this habit but I caught myself doing it again. For me the obsessive habit was calorie counting. Now it is totally fine to track your calories. But sometimes, it gets to be totally unhealthy. You stop listening to your body due to what you're reading on a screen. I use myfitnesspal, and I love the app. It is cool how it tells you "what you'd weigh in 5 weeks if everyday were like this". But for me I grew to be obsessive over staying under or exactly at so many calories a day. I was eating less than I should, or eating way to similar meals and foods that were making me sick. Eventually I listened to my body and felt better eating a variety, but of course the same thing every day, and it being such small things was bad. I have balanced myself better and don't get upset if I have a variety or go over my calorie limit once and awhile.
2. You feel happier.
Now I suffer from depression and anxiety. But I will say working out makes me a lot happier, and more positive. Sure it doesn't cure it, and I do have my days I skip the gym cause I'd rather be sleeping or at home hiding away. But you feel happier, more positive even if you're sweating and look like a swamp monster after walking out to your car from your Monday night cardio sesh.
3.If you need a mental health day take it, it isn't something to cry over.
I used to force myself to go to the gym everyday or workout every day. That wasn't terrible but some days I really got myself worked up over nothing because I needed one day to rest. If you need to take a break, TAKE IT. You deserve it. A break day or rest day is not a bad thing. Do not beat yourself up over not going every single day, cause working out to much can be damaging to your mental health.
4. Yoga helps.
So I chose to start yoga, as it relaxes me. It helps me feel better when my anxiety or depression is making me not want to get out to the gym or do my usual workouts. It is a great relaxer and mental break. Youtube has plenty of yoga videos and different types to try. Trust me, try yoga if you're able, it will make you feel more relaxed!
5. Don't obsess over the scale.
I am still trying to break this habit. As I am bad about obsessing over weight loss things (see number one). The scale shouldn't be your only indicator of your body and health. Listen to your body, and your mind. It isn't worth getting upset over. I know plenty of people who never weigh themselves. They just listen to their body or how their clothing fits. I choose to weight myself monthly as that is how I keep a happy medium balance with my scale. No love-hate relationship with it.
