I have always been a person who is active and healthy (for the most part). This past year, have I really buckled down on my fitness and nutrition to try to be the best and healthiest version of me. And let me tell you, it's by no means an easy thing, especially starting out. So I would like to impart some wisdom and advice to those who are just starting out to better themselves or those who are discouraged about their progress.
1. Don't compare yourself to people who have the genetics for great muscle growth and metabolisms.
Stop. Stop that right now. Let me tell you something. Those huge guys in the gym who seem to just touch a weight and add five pounds of muscle are not the norm! And chances are, trying to do exactly what they do won't get you very far. Not only that, but you will keep getting more discouraged for not living up to your potential. Only that's not your potential, it's theirs. Find a good trainer or a friend who actually knows what they are talking about with lifting and nutrition to guide you. Then work from there. Most importantly, everybody is different. Experiment with different things and find what works for you. Your best friend has a different makeup, so chances are you'll have to do different things to get similar results. Keep that in mind.
2. Make realistic goals.
You won't get skinny or thin overnight. You won't have huge gains in a week. Keep a realistic mindset. Set goals that you know you can reach. Start smaller and work up to what you want to reach. Being healthy is a lifestyle, not a thing you can do in a week and see change. Just keep on keeping on and never take your eyes off the prize. You'll be surprised how much more accomplished you'll feel when you reach smaller goals. It still is progress, and that fuels the fire to keep pushing and setting more goals to crush. It's a great cycle.
3. It's OK if you can't make a healthy 180 degree turn.
My thing is my diet. I have a huge sweet tooth. Cutting that out cold turkey? Nu-uh. No way, Jose. And guess what? That's OK. Actually, making little changes at a time is how you should do it! Starting by cutting out all drinks but tea, coffee and water and slowly altering your nutrition in a way that adapts it to be a lifestyle instead of a diet. Adding more veggies and getting in the groove. Cutting out fast food. Or maybe cutting it to once a week, and then move to none at all. It's all about baby steps so that the changes don't seem so unbearable. And soon you'll find that you are naturally eating healthier without the stress of a complete diet makeover. Same with your activity level. Start small by counting steps. Then put in a workout twice a week. Increase activity slowly so you don't exhaust yourself and get discouraged and fall off the wagon to good health. Baby steps, baby steps, baby steps!
4. Ignore the hate.
This is a big one. Let me clarify. People love to see an underdog succeed. To a point. Once you surpass people, they start to get less supportive. They don't like to see you do better than them when they know that with some effort they would be making progress, too. So when people start making delightful accusations such as, "She's obsessed with her healthy food and can't enjoy life" or "he's addicted to the gym and has no life," ignore it. Haters gonna hate. Surround yourself instead with people that want to grow with you and who are always glad to celebrate in your successes no matter what.
5. Make getting healthy and fit a lifestyle and mindset.
If you go in thinking "I wanna lose 10 pounds for that wedding in a of couple months," you will crash and burn. Because guess what? Yes, you might make that goal. But when the deadline for the reason behind your fitness passes? You fall right back into old habits. Instead, make this a lifestyle. Start small and make lasting changes. Go in thinking "I wanna lose 10 pounds for that wedding in a of couple months... and I wanna stay fit for that vacation next year. Not to mention I'll be doing interviews for jobs, so I need to keep looking my best for those the next year or so..." and it goes on. Health is and should always be a lifestyle. Not a deadline. Mindset is everything.
