MAKING THE DECISION

Roughly five years ago I made a single decision that has since changed my life. I set a goal to become a healthier and happier person. Sure, I doubted myself at first. I remember feeling as if I had dug myself into this giant hole, and was trapped inside someone I didn’t want to be anymore. The number on the scale was a direct reflection of how I felt on the inside.

I was sad. I was unhealthy. And it was apparent.

We often hear the claim, “people don’t change.”

If  our life experiences mold our current outlook on life itself, then we are technically constantly changing. Our moods change more frequently than some of us change our clothing. The mind posses the most powerful force we hold within ourselves; the ability to control both our emotions and our reactions. With that being said, I believe people can change.

I surely believe that I have changed.

Figuring out how to control our thoughts is not an easy task, but I believe it to be the key to success when trying to make a lifestyle change. A healthy body all starts with a healthy mind.

First things first,

ELIMINATE SELF DOUBT

If you don’t believe in yourself, you aren’t going to find anyone else who believes in you either. You might believe that negative self talk is no big deal. Who cares? Right?

Wrong.

Our brains have a funny way of believing everything we tell it, so nothing will knock you off track faster than self doubt. Avoid comparing your appearance to the unrealistic beauty and fitness standards that are plastered on every social media platform throughout America. That will do nothing but derail your positive progress and send you spiraling back down into the bottomless pit of negativity. Besides, it’s not real life. Treat yourself like you want to be treated, talk to yourself with respect, believe in your goals and become addicted to bettering yourself.

The moment you start believing in you, the universe starts believing in you too. 

GRATITUDE

It’s easy sometimes to feel down about all the things we aren’t. It’s also easy to think of  the things we want in life and feel discouraged because we feel as though we are so far from achieving them. So, why even bother trying then, right?

Wrong.

Instead what if we focus all our energy on the things we are most grateful for instead. It could be as simple as your comfy bed that is fit for a queen, or your best friend who listens to you complain about life each and everyday. How do we expect to achieve more in life if we aren’t grateful for the things we already have?

Love yourself. Be grateful for all that you are, and thankful for all that you have. Most importantly, understand you ARE worthy of your dreams!

PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

Life is a constant struggle to find balance. Sometimes it may feel like a juggling act between work, household responsibilities, socializing, school, family, etc. We are all given the same 24 hours a day, but its how we utilize those hours that really matters. In order to find balance, we must first devise a plan. You wouldn’t go on a road trip without a map, so why go through life without direction either? It all starts with one goal in mind, and from there a strategy is built to reach that goal.

Beware: don’t overwhelm yourself! Start with one small goal and make it attainable. Smash it! Then move on to the next goal. If your goal is to lose 50 lbs, start with a goal to shed the first five. That way when the scale reads -0.6lb, you don’t find yourself discouraged with 49.4lbs left to lose. Small victories are still victories!

“I don’t have time,” the most overused excuse we make for laziness. Nobody has time, but everyone can make time if it’s important enough. Find time, schedule, and plan ahead! Once you stop justifying your excuses and make the decision to embark on a new endeavor you will find that time was never the issue,  planning was.

START TODAY!

In life you are either moving forward or you’re moving backwards. You are faced daily with decisions  that will ultimately either bring you closer to your goal or make that goal harder to attain. Making one goal conscious decision after another over a long period of time will accumulate in to the progress you deserve.

If you’re searching for the perfect time to start, you won’t find it! The time is now, quit waiting and start working!