Written by Mia Davis
Wow, that’s a long and slightly disturbing title! But you know what? It matches the drama we feel when we come to the painful realization that watching what we eat isn’t just a phase we need to push through just for a little longer.
That’s right; the time will come when it will become evident that you can no longer eat whatever you want, not even for short periods. And not just because it will magically deposit precisely where it creates the most aesthetic damage. No, you will also feel it in your liver, stomach, head, and probably even skin. One fast-food extravaganza, and you will completely transform.
Ok, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration. But it is true that our bodies cannot keep up with the age that we have in our heads when we order a heavy meal, foolishly thinking we’ll just have a light lunch the next day and it will be all right.
The Big Revealing
You know those amazing people over 40, looking like they have it all easy? A few of them may have won the lucky gene jackpot, but not all the others. Get ready, because I’m going to share with you a secret you need to know, even if it will make you really sad. Those people eat healthily, they think twice before adding something to their plate, and they probably move around a lot too.
There it is, the tragic confirmation of the fact that postponing a healthy lifestyle can only go so far. Past that point, you need to pretty much eat like your scale is hovering above you and being active even if all you want is to bury yourself on the couch with a movie and chocolate.
But how to do that without losing the joy of living? How do you come to terms with losing your gastronomic freedom for the rest of your life? Is it really not getting any better? Ever?
It’s ok; you can be a drama queen for a little bit; after all, this is a hard thing to accept. But once the initial panic is over, you’ll be glad to know it’s not as bad as it sounds. It won’t be a joy either, but it won’t feel like such an overwhelming burden if you keep a few helpful things in mind.
Steps to Take Towards Turning the Healthy Lifestyle into a Habit
As you go over the tips below, you’ll notice that these are things you could have tried before, and they would have definitely improved your health and waist. But you probably ignored them because you had that luxury. Once that option is gone, you will see them differently and make more effort to put them into practice. And after a while, you’ll realize it’s not as bad as you imagined (or at least you’ll push that thought into your brain until it feels like a breakthrough you suddenly have).
1. Adjust your expectations
Setting an unrealistic goal won’t be of any help. If you plan to drop a lot of weight in a relatively short period, you may set yourself up for failure. It’s essential to understand that your body may not react as fast and as efficiently as you want. That can bring your positive energy regarding weight loss to a sudden end and make you feel discouraged and disappointed.
So instead, try setting more accessible goals; that way, it will be easier to reach them, you can keep your spirits up, and you will be less inclined to drop out after merely a few months.
2. Identify your motivation
You obviously know all the reasons why losing weight is crucial to your health and well-being. After all, they’ve been on your mind for years, but it’s only now that you are starting to truly understand you need to take them seriously.
So it’s time to make a list of your most powerful self motivations. Be as honest and as particular as you need; this is your private journey, so you are the one who knows what matters for you most.
3. Avoid temptations
Knowing there’s a candy bar or a snack in the house can really test your will. That’s why it’s essential to remove them all, if possible. Indeed, you cannot make that decision for everyone else in the house as well, but try to at least keep temptations out of sight so you can control your cravings.
4. Find healthy alternatives
Improving your lifestyle doesn’t mean getting rid of snacks altogether; you just need to start making smarter choices. Find options that can help you feel that you’re indulging yourself at least a little bit, but without adding a lot of empty calories.
You will still get hungry between meals, especially if you turn to portion control, so it’s essential to have a healthy snack at hand. Remember, your glucose levels are important.
5. Find the right combination
The best way to lose weight and be healthy is to watch what you eat and exercise. But that’s not always that easy to do, for various reasons. Still, instead of telling yourself that you’ll be ok just with one of them, try to find a combination of the two you can actually stick to.
It may mean exercising less frequently, or every day but only for 15 or 30 minutes. Or, if you like being active, you can add a bit more to your plate, as long as it’s a healthy addition. The goal is to find equilibrium, one that can turn from a self-care challenge into a long-term lifestyle.
6. Be aware of the major threats
Eating out and going on vacation are your biggest’ enemies’ when it comes to losing weight. That’s when most of us fall off the wagon. And the truth is you need a little treat now and then. The trick is to set some limits that allow you to have fun and feel like you’re indulging yourself without committing severe offenses dietary-wise.
7. Keep track of your weight loss
Even if this won’t exactly feel very nice during stagnant periods, keeping track of your progress is very important. It can help you determine which menus work better so you can adjust your meals and lose weight more efficiently.
Keeping track of your exercises is also a great idea, even if all you do is take walks or go jogging now and then. A pedometer will increase your motivation and make exercising fun. Knowing that the wrist band is counting your steps, you may feel like giving it more work to do and step up your game.
8. Every meal is important
Try not to skip breakfast, even if you’re not used to having one, or your schedule is hectic. Plan all your meals, including snacks, making sure you include all the necessary nutrients. You know, ‘breakfast is the most important meal of the day,’ ‘an apple a day…’ and so on. These are actually true.
9. Enjoy your food
Just because you no longer eat everything you want, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy your meals. If you turn to mindful eating, you achieve two things: you feel satisfied and positive, but also improve your behavior by establishing an improved relationship with food.
I said that before, but it’s important, so I’ll repeat it. It’s crucial to avoid turning your new healthy lifestyle into a restrictive and negative experience. Not only will you be unhappy, but it won’t work that well. You will start losing your self-motivation and will probably give up sooner than you think.
In fact, having a cheat day once in a while won’t be the end of the world and it may help you stay positive. My advice for those treats is to go for the real thing, not the diet version of desserts.
10. Give yourself sufficient time
All significant changes take time, especially those with a lasting outcome. So accept the fact that this will be a long process and prepare yourself psychologically for the challenge. Keep in mind that you didn’t exactly gain weight overnight, so it makes sense to lose it over a more extended period.
Indeed, at times it may feel like a little cookie takes a week to get off your hips, but don’t let that bring you down. Stay on track, and the results will eventually show.
The Dramatic Denouement
It’s not that dramatic, actually, even if this is a change that brings along many strong emotions, at least until you get used to it. It won’t be easy to accept you’re at that point when getting healthy is mandatory and urgent. You’ll need to work hard to change your habits, and it won’t happen in the blink of an eye. It will take time, will, and a lot of your inner resources. But it is doable; that’s the bottom line. These steps, paired with patience and determination, can help you change your lifestyle and be happy with your choice.