Dear Rachel,
I can’t believe it’s 2017! The past year just flew by! There were so many things that I wanted to get a handle on and all I can think about is the love handle around my waist! I want more than ever to make this year count. How can I do this without giving up all of the things I love? It’s so hard to not be tempted by the pizza at my kids bday parties, the molten cake on every menu and those dangerous waffle fries when I go to the basketball games! Like everyone else this time of year, I am ready to make a commitment and get to the gym and eat better. But I want to be able to sustain this level of enthusiasm. Please share with me your words of wisdom!
-Pat
Dear Pat,
Welcome aboard the train! It’s a journey but I know that you will be up for the ride (gosh, that sounds so terribly cliche!). You are already ahead of the game as you have your motivation. But, think about exactly what is motivating you to lose weight? Do you want to look better in your clothes, feel more energetic, or simply improve your health? I suggest you get clear about what you want, and then use that to inspire you throughout your journey and really stick to it this year. If you are like me, multitasking every minute, I suggest writing these thoughts down and then put them somewhere that you can see them on a daily basis. That way, you won’t forget what the finish line looks like! I am a big planner. If I am going out for the day, I think ahead of what I am doing, where I may be, and what will lay ahead of me before I get home. I bring some snacks for myself (a cut apple, some raw nuts, maybe even a non-fat greek yogurt). And if I know that I am not going to be home when the kids come home from school, I always think about what type of healthysnack they can arrive home to. In addition, I try to have a dinner plan (it may involve thinking about ordering in or having something at home ready to go in the oven). It’s important to have goals. Goals help measure progress. If you don't know where you want to end up, you won't really know how to get there. I believe that everyone should track what they eat. Looking closely at what you eat is often an eye-opening experience. You don't have to do it for the rest of your life, but it is a great habit to start. Tracking will help you tweak your diet so that you can still enjoy foods you love without sabotaging your weight loss or healthy eating efforts. I believe in the importance of eating breakfast every day. Eating a healthy breakfast (oatmeal with fruit, eggs with toast or yogurt with fruit and granola) will give you more energy, lead you to make healthier choices during the day, and keep you feeling full so you eat less later on. I couldn’t go a day without eating my greens. Vegetables are filled with nutrients, water, fiber, and very few calories. If you fill half of your plate with vegetables, you'll get fuller faster and cut down your calories without feeling deprived. Use herbs and spices to jazz up vegetables instead of using butter and/or salt to flavor them. In order to burn calories at a faster rate and build a healthy body, you'll need to incorporate exercise into your life. Making permanent changes take time to implement. Don’t rush it and be prepared to “fall off the wagon”. It’s ok and normal and no one is perfect. Don’t throw in the towel as every day is a new chance to start over, so return to your healthy lifestyle immediately.
“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” Leonardo da Vinci
I hope this helps! I am here for you!
Warmest and healthiest,
Rachel