Stop Losing and Gaining the Same Weight

Winter is a time for eating lots of food and not working out so much, but Summer is here so it's time to eat healthy and head back to the gym. This is a familiar cycle for for many of us. Nobody wants to lose and gain the same weight every year. Most of us want to look good all the time, and continually improve our body......we just don't know why we don't do it. The question to be answered is how can we workout and eat healthy consistently all year long?

Problem

One part of motivation is Autonomy..........I am working on healthy habits because I chose to. Why did you choose to? It can be a number of things...summer, fitting into your skinny clothes, an event to go to, athletic event, prove a point, because everyone else does, because you should, set an example, fear of aging, etc. The trend that I see in clients is that what initially starts people into healthy habits isn't what always keeps them with healthy habits. So, you start with momentum and excitement then two things happen 1.) you lose motivation and enjoyment as you go 2.) you reach your goal. Normally after either of these most people will go straight back to not working out and eating what they want. A few months later you have another reason to go back to the gym and the same cycle repeats. What is the piece that is missing that makes us not continue consistently & with enjoyment for the long term.

Solution

Autonomy.......I am working on healthy habits because I chose to do this for me, because I want to take care of me on the fundamental level. I want to put healthy food into my body and workout because it's good for me. Yes, the other reasons to be healthy will create short term motivations that will make us work harder at times or add to our motivation. What I have found is what keeps people consistently motivated for the long term is wanting to workout for themselves, because it relieves stress, gets energy out, and makes them personally feel good everyday.

Enjoyment

Workouts should be fun, interesting, dynamic, and effective. Some days you might love it after, you might love it during, and you might not love it at all. The point is if you dread going, hate it while you are there (you almost find yourself convincing yourself that it's good for you while you are there), and every time you leave you are just glad it's over.........you ain't gonna last long term.

Mentality

You have to mentally be in the moment and be into what you are doing. Make your time in the gym about you and having fun. The negative thoughts in your head can spread like cancer.....this is hard, I'm tired, I don't feel like being here, I have other things to do, can't wait till this is over...........you have to get those thoughts out of your head. Positive thoughts....I am strong, I can do this, this is for me, I am improving....these thoughts are going to help push you to have a better workout and help you to enjoy your time in the gym. Try to find something fun or positive about every workout session. For example: the people, variety, the environment, a new exercise, good conversation, a hard workout, the time to relieve stress, an instructor that pushed you, a new class you tried, etc.

Having healthy habits for you and enjoying the actual behavior is what will keep you consistent in the long term. Use the short term motivators to accomplish some goals, and then go back to your consistent healthy habits to maintain your results.