It’s February with all its goodness of love, chocolates and pre-spring-break anxiety. I have mentioned the need to determine your “why” when it comes to making change, but I also want you to consider the psychology of your plan. I recently watched a video about 90s fitness icon, Susan Powter, who struggled with obesity and only made temporary fixes to lose the weight but always failed. It wasn’t until she addressed the psychology of what was holding her back did she make lasting change. The same theory not only applies to nutrition, but to fitness, and to finance/debt management.
Know your trigger(s)
When it comes to focusing on a plan or staying focused on gains you have made, you really need to understand what your negative and positive triggers are. Only you can make that assessment, but for me it’s either chocolate or having an adult beverage. When it comes to smelling chocolate or having that first tasty bite, it’s like a light bulb comes on. It’s easy to have just one more, because what would it hurt. When it comes to alcohol consumption, for me that’s a trigger to eat something salty, like chips or popcorn. While having just one chip isn’t terrible; who in their right mind would only eat just one chip? Once you understand what triggers you to overconsume, you have to become more conscious of what you are putting into your body. For me, that means having a few bites of chocolate and a handful of chips followed by a glass of water. Water helps you to get full and helps your brain signal, “No thanks for more—I am already full.” By the way, it also helps to limit the amount of those adult beverages you consume.
Focus on the positive
You are going to fall down. You are going to go off your diet or give up on a day of working out to rest. Starting the New Year (with a new you) sometimes leads to fatigue and falling into the rationale to give up. What I encourage you to do is focus on how far you’ve come, even if it’s only been a few days. The idea to take your fitness and nutrition journey one day at a time. Be encouraged by just creating a plan and working it.
Don’t give up because you gave in
When it comes to fitness and nutrition, when you first become motivated, it can be a daunting task. You will be sore, and you will be hungry because of the changes you are asking your body to go through. Sometimes that fatigue or hunger will drive you to take a day off or use a “cheat day.” Don’t feel bad when you have a lapse. You need to get back to it and stick with your plan. The plan can be modified as long as it meets the goal you have established. Goals should be reviewed and modified to work with you and your desired outcome.
You should have a plan and understand your why. Understanding your why comes down to knowing what your triggers are and how to modify your routine to avoid or reduce exposure to those triggers. Often it helps to have a partner or coach to support you in your journey as they will help hold you accountable. Take it one day at a time and over time, you’ll have your day!
