I don’t know about you, but for the last couple weeks of summer I have fallen off the proverbial wagon. My eating hasn’t been stellar and exercise…well it’s been hit or miss. So I took to Pinterest (you know, the new Google), to find some helpful tips on how to get myself back on the wagon. I was instantly overwhelmed by all the different results I got…10 tips for this, 25 for that. It got me thinking, if I had this much trouble finding something clear and to the point on how to get back on the wagon, I’m sure others are too.
I went through the articles and found that some of them had very similar tips, while others went into left field to try and help. So what I did was compiled the tips into 7 broad categories and then suggested ways to make that tip work for you. My hopes are that this will help and motivate us to get back on the wagon!
- ACCEPT IT
It’s happened, you can’t change that now. What you can control is the way you handle it. Reflect on the choices you made and how you feel you’ve gotten off course. Then tell someone. Find someone you trust and confide in them. This admission will take the weight off your shoulders and allow you to start new and fresh. Plus, this new confidant can be your accountability buddy. Ask to check in with them daily, weekly, bi-weekly…whatever it will take to keep you on track. Don’t know anybody like that…I’m always happy to listen! - RECOMMIT…TODAY
Tell yourself today is like a Monday; I’m starting fresh NOW. Refocus on your why and the lifestyle changes you’ve made up to this point to realize your why. If you need to, write down on a piece of paper your why. You will be more successful if you can look at this from time and time and keep remembering the reason you started. - HYDRATE
This tip is so basic, but I feel people miss the point of it so often. Water is the fuel our bodies and minds need to operate. Feeling a little more sluggish than normal? You may not be drinking enough water. Being fully hydrated also cuts down on cravings and hunger pangs. A lot of times we aren’t really hungry, we are dehydrated. - MAKE A PLAN
By this I mean make a plan for eating. This is probably the hardest thing for me to do to get back on track; fix my eating. Start by cleaning out the fridge and pantry of foods that you know will tempt you and get you into trouble. For me it’s cookies. I cannot have them in the house without going crazy. Next, plan your meals. If you know what you’re going to eat ahead of time, you won’t be guessing what’s for dinner. This is also a good time to meal prep. If you have a meal prepared ahead of time, it usually helps avoid the line at McDonalds when you’re exhausted and starving! Finally, go back to your food journal (if you have one…if not, start a food journal), and look at a day or week that you were happy with. Try to repeat that good day or week.
- MOVE
Right now. Stop reading this and get up and walk around for 5 minutes……………..okay good, don’t you feel just a little bit better? Do this every 30 minutes or so and you’ll start to feel better. Get the blood circulating and clear your mind. Now use tip 4 to also make a plan for your exercise! Map out what you would like to do each day this week and the next. Then schedule your workout. Make it another appointment on your calendar that you can’t miss. - REWARD YOURSELF
I know this seems a little silly now, you just fell off the wagon, why would you reward yourself? Think of it as motivation to get yourself back on the wagon. Write down a list of things or experiences you really want (try to avoid food as a reward J ). Now set those things or experiences to a milestone. For example, if I workout every day this week, I’ll treat myself to a movie on Saturday. Or if I lose 5 lbs, I’ll get those earrings I saw in the mall. Little things like this that can keep you motivated towards a goal. There are also instant gratification ways to reward yourself. Download a new song or playlist for the morning workout. Your reward comes before the workout, but it will make you more likely to go out and do it if you know there is new music to be heard. You can also get yourself some new workout gear. Be confident in your workout knowing you look fly…yup I used the word fly! Try a new workout. Go out, be adventurous, and find a new activity. Mixing up the workout helps us over that plateau that probably caused the wagon incident in the first place. - GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
We’re all imperfect humans…hard truth. So be kind to yourself. This is not a linear journey, there are going to be bumps along the way. The difference is what you decide to do with the bumps.
I hope these tips help get you back on the wagon. I’m going to pin them somewhere visible so when I start to teeter again…or let’s face it, fall completely off…I’ll have that visual to kick my butt back into gear! And comment below any helpful tips you might have! I love to learn new things and I know you guys have some!
The Stace Pace 