Moving Your Tailfeathers...

As you know, after the holidays everyone is on a big kick to start off the new year on the right foot. Usually this means wanting to get active and be in better shape. This is an admirable goal to have, but sometimes we all start off with a big burst of energy only to roll to a stop by the end of January once we realize we have to maintain the healthy eating habits and excursions to the gym on a regular basis.

To keep from landing flat on our face or rather flat onto a big piece of gooey pizza, here are some of my thoughts on how to maintain your healthy lifestyle goals. It's not rocket science and you've probably heard or read this advice before, but this is my take on how to keep you new year's goals on track.

First - do not expect to look like Jennifer Aniston or Brad Pitt in a few weeks. You've got to tell yourself this is a marathon not a sprint. There will be days where you're discouraged about the pounds not coming off or you're bored with working out. You MUST push through these feelings - they are only thoughts and you can change them.

Second, if you fall off the wagon - get back on. There are tons of temptations in the world we live in - you're going to have to deal with it. If and when you succumb to a big chunky chocolate bar or a piece of dazzling cheese cake, just let it go and start again. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, as long as you get back up and try to do better.

Third, my grandma has told me since I've been a little girl that you should be allowed to eat everything as long as it is in moderation. SHE IS RIGHT! I've tried both ends of the spectrum - depriving myself of sweets and carbs and so on - only to fail. I've also gone the other way where for a time I was eating anything I fancied - I also failed and packed on some unappreciated extra pounds. Since I've fully adopted Grandma Alexander's rule - I've been good to go. Which brings me to my next point. Try to keep yourself on some sort of routine - this will keep you vigilant about your exercise schedule and what you put in your mouth. For example, I work out 5 days a week. Come hell or high water - my brain is programmed to make sure I get in 5 days of exercise a week, and sometimes 6. Having this ingrained in my head makes the process of getting up and exercising a lot easier. Also, I've trained myself not to eat junk food during the week. This also makes my life easier because there aren't many decisions to make - I don't eat crap Monday to Friday and on the weekend I let myself have a bit of fun. This way I don't feel deprived, I can have my all time favorite - ice cream at least once or twice a week - yummy!

Lastly - there are going to be times when you're going to have to be tough on yourself because a part of you will scream - "I don't want to exercise today." or "Come on - that little piece of chocolate cake is not going to disrupt my healthy eating." FIDDLESTICKS! In those moments you're going to have to become a drill sergeant instructor and move past those "weak" thoughts. And don't you worry - you can do it because you are tough and focused! Stick to the plan Stan!

Here's to a healthy 2010!

Kelly

PS: A thought to leave you with. It is funny how during the Christmas holiday season, everyone is worried about what they'll eat between Christmas and New Year's, when in fact you should be focused on what you eat between New Year's and Christmas.