The difficulties of trying to get healthy can weigh on you, causing you to have a moment of guilt or weakness that trips you up and gets you off track. In times like these it’s important to forgive yourself and hop back on the “healthy you” band wagon. In this edition of “Wellness Wednesday,” I’d like to focus on getting back on track.
I must admit that I’m just as guilty of falling off the wagon, so to speak. When this happens I tend to have a barrage of excuses as to why I’ll start tomorrow instead of now. It hit me today that the time for excuses is long gone, because, frankly, they’ve cost me dearly. Not only in my waist line, but how I feel on a day-to-day basis. I’m now fifteen, yes, fifteen, pounds heavier, depressed, sluggish and catching cold bugs left and right.
Here are some of the basics to getting back on track!
Forgiveness: Instead of getting upset with myself when I have some chips, I need to understand that a few chips won’t hurt me, but an entire bag will. Instead of getting mad at myself for having a treat and saying, “Well, I made a mistake, so what’s the point?” I need to say, “One serving is okay. I’ll stick to healthier choices for the rest of the day.”
Accountability: If you set up an accountability partner, use that tool. Accountability is mutually beneficial. If you go without checking in and talking it through, then odds are you are both off track and need to lean on one another for support to get started again. I even called my partner this week to say, “Hey, we need to get going again. This unhealthy lifestyle isn’t working.”
Schedule: Scheduling your workout days and times are important! Instead of talking yourself out of going for a walk or hitting the gym, remind yourself why you are doing this. In fact, most people feel much better after a good workout. They feel a sense of accomplishment! Plus, exercise produces good endorphins that make you feel more positive!
Simple Steps: Start back with the basics, such as drinking eight (8 ounce) glasses of water a day and a taking a multivitamin daily. If your body isn’t getting enough water to stay hydrated or vitamins to keep going, it will make everything else you do to get healthier that much more difficult to accomplish. Simple steps like these make a world of difference.
If you’ve made a slip up on your way to a healthier you, it’s okay. We all make mistakes, every now and then, when it comes to staying healthy. The important thing is not to let it keep you down or prevent you from accomplishing your goals. I can’t say it enough — You are important! You deserve to care and make time for yourself to feel the best you can feel, for you and your family!
~Amy~
Photo: flickr.com/photos/thestarmama/69575300
