The mind is very powerful. We’ve all heard “mind over matter,” right? The way we think can actually effect our bodies and how much weight we gain or lose. It’s true! Think of it this way: if you gain a couple extra pounds and notice that your clothes are starting to feel a bit snug, it’s easy to shrug it off as no big deal. Maybe it’s not a big deal, but a couple extra pounds could easily turn into 10, even 20 extra. It’s better to think, “I should do something about this before it gets out of control.” If you’re not getting enough physical activity, looking bigger is the least of your worries. Lack of regular exercise leads to muscle loss. You will also burn fewer calories when you lack muscle mass. The more you let your weight spiral out of control and your health deteriorate, the harder it will be to bounce back.
It can be difficult to start. In fact, starting is the hardest part. The important thing to remember is that there isn’t just one way to exercise and stay healthy. There are so many different routines or activities that you can do to keep yourself active. Find something that suits your personality and you’re guaranteed to stick to it. Similarly, healthy foods don’t have to be tasteless and boring. There are so many recipes out there – even healthy substitutions for comfort foods that you may miss. Explore and experiment! Have fun with it.
The most important thing is to rid yourself of all the negative excuses. Forget thoughts like, “it’s genetic, I’ll never be thin,” or “I’ve had children, my body will never be the same!” Even more mild things like slacking off because “you don’t have enough time,” or it’s “too cold” or “too hot.” These are all things that can be adjusted to fit your needs and your schedule. There is always a solution. It’s also simply untrue that you’re doomed if you’re not genetically thin with a fast metabolism, or that you can never be as skinny as you once were after you have children. It may be more challenging, but it’s doable and possible.
Don’t have a lot of time? Fit in little exercises throughout the day or set aside 10-30 min of a high intensity workout. Is the weather a problem? Find some back-up exercises that can be done indoors & at any time for those times specifically. Having a hard time losing weight because of your genetic make up? Find exercises that target your problem areas and focus on maintaining a healthy diet. This applies to post-baby weight too. You have to work hard for what you want! It’ll feel even better once you achieve the results because you’ll know that you earned it.
Don’t let your mind stagnate you and your body. Think healthy, be healthy!
