With the change in seasons, it feels like a time for new beginnings!
Is it just me or do you feel that way as well?
I always feel good when I’ve done a really good clean or declutter around the house, but I feel even better when I’ve made the decision to put myself first and listen to my body as it tells me enough is enough!
Personally, I have made the decision that it is time for me to work on my new beginnings. I have definitely made changes in my business, but now it is time to put everything I preach into action.
It all makes sense in my head but incorporating it into reality can sometimes be a little tricky.
I have many goals I would like to work on, but I will be honest when I go gung-ho and try to do it all at once it just becomes overwhelming, with overwhelm comes disapointment as I usually burn out quickly.
So, I have decided to take a slightly different approach and that’s taking small steps, one at a time. Keeping the bigger picture in mind but breaking it down into bite size goals…
WAIT…maybe I shouldn’t use the term bite size…lol
Anyway, smaller easily attainable goals are the best way (I feel) for me to proceed. Making additional small changes each week that add up to lifestyle changes that I will continue with.
This week I have put together some tips on how to help both you and I make small changes in your life and be able to maintain them.
Set Realistic Goals: Establish achievable, specific, and measurable goals. Break your larger weight loss goal into smaller, manageable milestones. Celebrate your successes along the way to maintain motivation.
Track Your Progress: Keep a journal (we’ve talked about the power of journaling) or use a tracking app to monitor your food intake, exercise, and weight loss progress. Seeing your achievements in black and white can be motivating.
Find a Support System: Share your goals with friends, family, or a support group. Having a network of people who encourage and hold you accountable can provide motivation and keep you on track.
Reward Yourself: Treat yourself with non-food rewards when you reach milestones or achieve your goals. These rewards can be a great incentive to stay motivated. Consider treating yourself to a spa day, a new book, or a favorite hobby. Make sure to always celebrate the small wins!
Stay Educated: Learn about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and how it can positively impact your overall well-being, not just your weight. Understanding the health benefits can provide a strong motivational factor.
Visualize Success: Create a vision board or mental image of your desired outcome. Visualizing yourself at your goal weight and feeling healthier can help maintain motivation.
Mix Up Your Routine: Variety can help prevent boredom. Try new exercises, recipes, or fitness classes to keep things interesting and prevent burnout.
Keep a Positive Mindset: Focus on positive self-talk and avoid self-criticism. Be kind to yourself during setbacks and understand that occasional slip-ups are normal
Track Non-Scale Achievements: Sometimes, the scale doesn't reflect your hard work accurately. Pay attention to other positive changes such as increased energy, improved sleep, or enhanced mood.
Stay Informed: Continuously educate yourself about nutrition, fitness, and the latest research related to menopausal weight management. Knowledge can empower and motivate you.
With my weight loss goal, I am going to start with small chunks like 10 lbs at a time. With each 10 lbs lost I will reward myself with something fun, like a manicure or pedicure.
I will be incorporating exercise soon, but first I will be gentle on myself as I enter the world of change and will focus on a healthier way of eating which for me will mean less sweets and carbs and more fruits and veggies for sure. Instead of exercising at this point I will start stretching daily to help ease the tension that has built up and gain some flexibility. I think this will help once I do introduce an exercise routine.
If you are looking to make some changes to your lifestyle this fall and would like support, please reach out we can encourage each other, share tips and tricks as we get closer to our goals. It is also worth remembering that what works for one woman may not work for another, so until you find what works for you and keeps you motivated, don’t rule anything out – try it all!
Why not release that which does not serve you & embrace what does.
