If you have ever been the member of a gym or fitness club, you’ve probably seen this in action: On January 1st, all of the machines are packed and there’s a line to use the free weights. A week later, maybe one or two people have fallen to the wayside. Two weeks pass and the gym is half empty. And by February 1st it’s back to the same group that regularly uses the equipment. It doesn’t just happen with weight loss, but all aspects of living a healthy life have a problem with keeping motivated and staying strong. But how do you keep from being just another “New Years Resolution” that gave up a month into the year (or quit after years of working)? Here are tips to keep you motivated and strong.
Eating
When it comes to eating healthy, don’t put yourself on such a limited diet that you make yourself miserable (http://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/tips-keeping-your-healthy-motivation-strong). Instead, try the “three bite rule.” This means give yourself a treat, but limit yourself to just three bites. If you think about it, everything after the third bite is just downhill anyway. It’s those first few hits of forbidden taste that really matters.
Exercise
This is probably the toughest one for many people (http://www.drwayneandersen.com/2012/05/15/keep-that-motivation-going-strong/). But there are some ways to stay motivated throughout the year and into the future. First, get a FitBit or step monitor and set a goal for yourself to stay active during the day. This will encourage you to do things like take the stairs at work or not park at the closest parking space. Every little bit helps. Also, get a gym buddy. This is the person who will motivate you to workout even when you don’t want to. (And, you will do the same for her when she is feeling down and too tired.)
Stress
The saying is true: stress kills. Being too stressed out is a prime way to head to a heart attack or stroke (https://dollysdaughter.wordpress.com/2013/04/09/protect-your-motivation-2/). Instead, you can cut down on your stress in a number of ways. First, find out your triggers and avoid them as much as possible. Is there someone at work who sends your stress levels through the roof? Stay out of their path as much as possible. Also, surround yourself with positive people. Find friends and acquaintances who will help keep you calm and collected as you work on making your life better.
