After being a health and wellness fanatic for some time, I feel for those who have the best intentions to be healthy and well but are continually chasing that elusive carrot, bouncing from one thing to the next and the next and the next, looking for the shiny thing that’s just right for them.
And then when it doesn’t work just give up and go back to their old ways.
When it really comes down to consistency like many things is the key to success here and getting your mind in the right place.
I understand it’s confusing with so many gurus’s telling you what is right and what is wrong.
Then you read an article in the newspaper of the latest research and what you should do
And those cover images of how we are supposed to look with that perfect sculpted figure.
Sure there are many ways to be healthy and well, some that are much better than others but there are only a few that are sustainable for life.
I used to struggle with this as well. When every monthly edition of my healthy men’s magazine turned up I’d try the next “30 day to a summer body” plan, only to drop it when next months magazine landed in my letter box.
But as I now know, there’s no quick fix. No magic bullet. No super pill or shake that will solve your health and wellness woes for the long term.
It all comes down to you and managing the big thing that can easily bring it all unstuck – your mindset.
Seeing the life changing results that my clients achieve, which is inline with the way I have lived for the last 5 years I now know it’s simple
But it’s not as we are led to believe and it doesn’t happen overnight.
It’s taking a proven healthy approach (turning a blind eye to the fads) and remaining focused. Not all the time but for most of the time.
And sticking with it.
But life gets in the way, with dinner with your friends after the kids footy, the neighbours street party and then Christmas around the corner, it’s easy to get caught in the moment and a few beers, crackers and dip turns into a few more beers and a few slices of pizza and then finish off with a few mouthfuls of the kids ice cream …”second thoughts I’ll just have a small bowl before you put it back”.
Then one week stretches into two weeks and before you know it all your good work as gone to custard.
It’s just too hard.
Because you’ve worked hard. It’s been a big year. You’ve been flat out. The business has grown. The bottom lines looking better. You deserve it. Go on…well don’t you?
An a few treats a week turns into a few weeks of all treats.
Is it easier to make a change & stick with it, start to look better and feel better and allow you to continue on with you family & the business…
Or hear from your family doctor (again) that you are going to have to start taking care of yourself because you can’t live like this forever…pills, insulin injections and thoughts of your uncle’s heart attack comes to mind.
Well do you have time to be laid up in a hospital bed, wishing things could have been different. If only I’d looked after myself.
Now who is going to look after your wife and kids?
What about your business that you have spent so many weeks months years building up?
How will you get those customers back?
But it’s another thing to think about and I don’t really have time for anything else.
And it can be complicated – calorie counting, meal timing, portion control, boot camp at dawn there can be a lot to think about to make a change.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Just get back to basics
For starters with my clients I give them a shopping list of all the approved foods that we should be eating everyday.
With over 150 items and most can be found at your local supermarket or green grocer and when combined makes thousands of awesome dishes.
Why can’t we keep it up
This is where most people go wrong to start with (and NOT what we have been lead to believe) 80% of your body composition is based on what you eat, with a bit for exercise, sleep & stress.
So having to exercise forever to burn calories and burn off the weight is just not necessary.
It just leads to another failed attempt.
Is it no wonder so many people start out with new gym membership all with great intentions, but it all fades as the year progresses …not enough time, little result and just not able to keep it going. So your mind gives up.
Learning the ins and out of your business didn’t just happen. Even if you have moved up through the ranks from an apprentice to owning and running the business you had to learn all the different parts of the business as you went…it was either sink or swim.
Your health and wellness is no different.
Except it’s not just you that will sink or swim if you don’t get it right but your business as well.
Don’t know where to start
If you have been following me for a while you will know I am interested in keeping the carbs down.
When you are first starting out its hard keeping track of you eat each day week month particularly if you’re trying to lose a bit of weight
So using apps like MyFitnessPal and fitday.com where you can record everything you eat (each night while you are sitting in front of the tv) it then calculates all the nutrients of everything your eat particularly the amount of carbs.
It all comes down to you
I believe it’s because your goals and not strong enough not important enough or maybe even someone else’s and that is maybe why your attempts to be healthy & well don’t stick and don’t last.
As an example let’s say you booked your annual trail bike ride on the South Coast or mountain bike trip to Tasmania or a surf trip to Indonesia or even a hike in the Blue Mountains.
You do your research, you tee up your crew (family or mates)you book your flights and accommodation. You pay your money. You might even buy a bit of new gear that you have been eyeing off for a while, just to top off your adventure.
You’d be fully committed – 110%
Apart from something happening with your family, or sickness or injury you would be there.
So this is like your goals with your health and wellness and is why it’s important to make them real and make them your own.
And it’s even better if you can link it with a bit of emotional or a personal connection.
Even if your ultimate goal may be to fit into that ball gown or new suit at the mid year charity ball, it’s so important to savour the small wins along the way and enjoy the journey.
Moving to the next notch on your belt, finding it easier to walk up stairs, being able to run around with the kids or having a clearer mind that not only surprises you but your mates as well with your strategic words of wisdom.
And not to mention how good do you feel.
But along the way there is sure to be a swag of people (family and friends) who unintentionally try to sabotage you with their kindness, love, support and treats, slices, finger food and ice cold beer!
But stand firm and keep the positive thoughts of where you are going at the front of your mind.
Where to from here
Next time you slip out of your good habits, by eating the wrong food, or missing your evening walk or skipping your gym session or your bike ride on the weekend.
Don’t beat yourself up. You are not a failure and you can do it again.
Just hop back on the horse!
As I tell my clients when Monday comes around roll back into your good habits and routine
Good health and wellness is the combination of lots of things added together over a long time.
I thought I was living a healthy lifestyle for years before I fell ill with “Lyme-like” disease and then I really learned and understood what real health was and what was the best way to live.
Your mind is an incredible tool and your body will also give you signs to keep you on the right path, you just have to know what to listen for.
They kind to yourself and your body and it will reward you keep working towards a long happy healthy life.
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