Now that you’ve gotten the easy part of your New Year’s resolution out of the way – setting a fitness goal – let’s get down to the nitty gritty: how to stay on track and stick to your guns.
Keep a fitness journal.
Getting into the best shape of your life isn’t all about the food you eat and the weights you lift. In fact, a crucial part of meeting your goal is keeping track of your workouts and meals, sleep schedule, mood changes and more so you can improve habits and address what does and doesn’t work – sooner than later.
For as low as $13, you can snag the Fitness Journal 2017: Complete Weekly Workout Journal and Food Diary; perfect for those constantly on-the-go. According to Amazon, this tool allows users to keep a close eye on their “weight loss journey by measuring your fitness and eating habits, which has been shown to increase your results rapidly!” Or, make room for one year worth of workouts and food planning with something like the Fitness Journal 2017: Food Diary & Workout Journal Logbook, starting at just $6.
Keep in mind, there are also several great apps to track meals and fitness routines, such as My Fitness Pal. One thing’s for sure, in this social age, the options are endless.
Take it one day at a time.
While we’d love to see results in a week or two, that’s just not how this little thing called fitness works! Take it (your health) one day at a time, always remembering that all good things come in time!
Stock up on superfoods.
Eating healthy doesn’t have to break the bank or take hours to prepare. In fact, by stocking up on superfoods like blueberries, grapefruit, bananas, oranges, oats, brown rice, almonds, eggs, avocados, salmon, and beverages like green tea you’ll ensure snacking is oh-so-easy, all the while building bones, preventing chronic diseases, improving eyesight, and keeping your mind sharp. Not to mention, there’s scientific proof these foods can help you get—and stay—slim and trim!
Celebrate even the smallest win.
Every step closer to your goal is a win. Celebrate with a good old fashioned pat on the back, maybe even a cheat meal. While some weeks you may shed 7 pounds, as you get closer to your goal, unwanted pounds may be more difficult to cut. There’s nothing wrong with that. Take a look back at how far you’ve come and keep it moving.
Hit a road block? Keep going!
According to science, a shift in your mindset can give you an edge up on weight loss. Because diets are often based on rigidity, punishment, deprivation, guilt, and fear, we often adopt a “fixed mindset.” In other words, when faced with a challenge or failure, we take the easy way out to avoid embarrassment, what some experts call “self-handicapping.”
Meanwhile, research shows that your mindset can profoundly impact your life, especially your health. Take a 2010 study published in the journal Clinical Psychology Review, which after looking at the science of optimism, researchers discovered that a positive mindset can lead to better health outcomes. In fact, optimistic people tend to be healthier on average.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
