Saturday Snippets

Well the first week of the New Year is almost under us. How’s it going for you? How’s it going in getting on track with your health and fitness goals? Did you stay fairly focused through the holiday season or did you get de-railed?

New Years Day morning had me out on the road for a few miles. I really love being out on that first day because it mentally sets a tone for me in the up coming year and my pursuit of being physically active.

Not that I’m “not” planning to being working out… but it definitely centers me for my goals and commitment to being fit.

Maybe you’re like I am though. Maybe you are making some changes in getting your eating back on track after a season of cookies and other treats.

Maybe you want to get back into your exercise after being off your normal routine for awhile.

I hope you haven’t just gone into the “all or nothing” approach. Sometimes easing back into things is the best way to get into a disciplined routine again.

Here’s a few tips that may help:

Don’t think you have to eat up all the left over cookies, candy, chips, whatever it is you may have laying around.  I’m kinda joking, but kinda serious too. People do think they will make a final “last supper” moment and eat up stuff before they go on their “diet”.

Do allow yourself something if you’re craving it. Having a piece or two of chocolate is way less damaging than ignoring your desire than binging on a half a bag later on.

Don’t go all extreme and restrictive in your eating.  Your body will rebel if you drastically reduce your food if you’ve been feeding it more than it needs.

Do gradually adjust the type of food and amount of food you have on your plate.  It doesn’t take a lot to satisfy your appetite.

Don’t cut out all things you love.  This goes a long way to being successful in new eating habits.

Don’t “over” exercise. Doing more than you are used to will only make you sore and not want to continue.

Do ease back into your normal routine if you have been exercising but maybe got off of it for a few weeks.  Adding a bit more to what you do through the next week or two will bring you back up to where you were without negative side effects.

Do set small, attainable goals. If you have a set amount of weight to lose, consider looking at it in 5lb goals. This is easy to achieve and makes it a bit of a game.  Weigh in only once a week.

Don’t get discouraged with what you need to do by staring at the “big picture”.  Focus on one day at a time making positive small choices. These will add up. Move through each day with a focus on those choices.

Do remember that change takes time and don’t get discouraged because you are expecting to much to soon.

If you keep in mind that each day is a series of baby steps leading to your larger goal, it will be easier to manage and you will be much more successful in the end.

Do you have any tips or tricks that work for you to help you get back on track or to reach your goals?