10 Things I Wish I Knew About Fitness and Weight Loss Before I Started My Journey.Happy Friday Ladies! The wait is almost over. We’ll see your fabulous faces next week. The studio is DONE!Today I wanted to touch on a topic that’s deeply personal to me. For years I felt tired, sad, unmotivated and my self-esteem was rock bottom. I wish ten years ago I knew the following things. It would have made my journey through my 20’s and 30’s much more enjoyable.#1Just going to the gym is not enough to become fit and enjoy a healthy lifestyle. Spending an hour 3 times a week on a cardio machine can be great. Making doughnuts a part of your daily diet on the way to work??? Not so much.#2People at the gym aren’t judging you. Quite the contrary. Most people at the gym are very respectful. Remember that everyone was new at one time. Most gym-goers have the utmost respect for someone who decides to make a positive change in their life.#3That new diet that your coworker, family member, friend has told you about is probably not going to help you in the long term. Yes, there are ways to drop weight fast. None of them are sustainable. The only sustainable way to lose weight is a gradual approach that includes the right type of exercise and a balanced diet.#4Don’t take fitness and weight loss advice from people who aren’t fit. My number one annoyance in life is people who tell others how to be fit and healthy when they aren’t healthy. If you want good fitness and nutrition advice, please seek out someone who’s fit! (or better yet, ask a professional)#5Don’t Compare Yourself To Others. Don’t measure yourself against others at the gym. Everyone is in a different place on their fitness journey. Be proud of your accomplishments and don’t compare yourself to others.#6You can never have a bad enough day to crash your long term goals. My nutrition and accountability clients are pleasantly surprised when I tell them to enjoy themselves on holidays and eat what they want. (Try to limit it to one plate please!) If my clients turn in perfect food logs for months at a time, I know they’re lying. Life happens. Go with it. If you have a bad day or two, don’t quit. It’s probably not as bad as you think!#7Alcohol can and will sabotage your long term goals if used regularly. I enjoy a drink now and then. If you’re looking to lose weight, alcohol is not your friend. Calories from alcohol are empty. Even worse, the loss of inhibitions that come from drinking can lead to poor eating choices. Have a drink now and then. Just make sure to moderate and space with water.#8Do it with someone else. Have an accountability partner. An accountability partner can be a spouse, friend, or a gym group. Don’t do it alone.#9Have Fun. Find exercise you enjoy. Keep it fresh. If you’re dreading your fitness or nutrition plan, you’re doing it wrong.#10You’re good enough. Listen, you’re not perfect. That’s ok. Keep moving in the right direction. If you fall, get back up and move on. Don’t be hard on yourself. You’ve got this.As always ladies, let's focus on being a Fit, Fierce & Fabulous Fit Girl!
