Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Nobody's Perfect, I Gotta Work it!

Yeah, yeah, we all know this song, or have heard it at some point in time (if not, you're lying...)

But the fact is, no one is perfect, so there is no reason to try to be!

When it comes to weight loss, weight gain, or weight maintenance, we often set unrealistic or idealistic goals. When we don't get the results that we want, we become depressed or angry with ourselves and then give up on our efforts of eating healthy and participating in physical exercise. Then, when we're still not satisfied with our image, we start "dieting" again and continue the cycle of unhappiness.

Well, knock it off!

God made each and every one of us unique, which is why certain "diets" work better for some than others. People get mislead by celebrities and articles in magazines because they advertise that if you follow this diet and this workout routine, you'll look like this person. Not true! I like the saying from my roommate's professor, something to the effect of: when you work out and eat healthy you may shrink from a Tablespoon to a teaspoon, but you'll still be a spoon. The fact is, each of us are shaped differently both inside and out, so no matter how hard you work, you can make your body look like someone else's.

What?!

Yup! That's the truth! So it's important to be comfortable in your own skin and make healthy lifestyle changes for yourself instead of trying to become something that will never happen.

Making unrealistic goals is just setting yourself up for failure. You'll never be satisfied with your accomplishments this way.

On a happier note, here are some healthy tips to help manage and maintain weight:
Make realistic goals: one's that you know you can stick to (although there's room for forgiveness 'cause nobody's perfect!)

Keep in mind that the number on the scale isn't the most important thing when it comes to health. What's important is making healthy food choices (eating fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, etc) and getting enough exercise (30- 60 minutes daily). You'll feel better and more energized.

Surround yourself with supportive people and good influences. Don't put yourself in compromising situations because those could cause chain reactions, taking you back to where you came from.

Rewards are good incentives to keep you motivated! Try to stay away from food as a reward though. It's not helpful in the long run.

Don't be at war with food! Try to maintain a healthy relationship with it, and enjoy everything in moderation and good proportions. It isn't a good idea to restrict or eliminate any food group because depriving yourself could cause more cravings and a dangerous relapse. Plus, how long would you be able to go without eating a sweet treat or bread? Probably not very long.. Rather than labeling foods "good" or "bad," eat everything in moderation and some foods in larger or smaller proportions than others. It's all about being smart with your choices.

Avoid falling into traps of advertisements that promote "quick fixes," unbalanced diets, and irrational or strange dietary guidelines. These sources aren't very credible or trustworthy! A diet is a continuous lifestyle change, so a quick fix ain't gonna happen!

Relax! When you take care of yourself by making these healthy food choices and participating in physical activity, you'll be more at peace. (:



Be the best YOU can be!

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