It is the easiest thing to do. Convince yourself that it’s OK to eat that candy bar or bag of chips or whatever it is that is your weakness. You had a bad day, you had a great day, you had an OK day…it doesn’t really matter.

We talk ourselves out of being healthy or making healthy choices all the time. I do it too. I do it a lot and this is what I do for a living. Though when I take the time to stop and think about what I am doing, I certainly make better decisions.

If you want to lose weight you have to burn more calories than you consume.  It’s really just simple math, but it’s not so simple when it comes down to the execution. Some tips…

Don’t be a talker, be a doer

This is the absolute number one and probably only tip you need. If you want to lose weight, build muscle, train for that marathon, etc. Talking about it all day isn’t going to do anything for you. Talking about it while stuffing your face with nachos, certainly isn’t going to do anything for you either. Come up with a plan and take action. Even if it is small baby steps, it’s something. The more you do, the more it becomes habit and the more progress you will make.

Surround yourself with doers not talkers

I’m not saying to ditch your friends and get new ones, but like attracts like. If you want to stay on track, hook up with others that are on the same path.

If you fall (or leap) off the wagon, be kind to yourself

If you want to eat a cupcake, eat a cupcake but be sensible. Maybe half a cupcake is sufficient. Maybe even just a bite will do. However, if it throws you into the depths of depression because you got off track and now you find yourself nose deep in buttercream, take a step back. We are our worst saboteur. The minute we start scolding ourselves for one slip (and I don’t even like to call it that…or even a cheat for that matter), we turn our thoughts to the negative. We all deserve to indulge a little. Be gentle with yourself when you do. Say to yourself ‘I deserve this cupcake (or cookie, or pie or whatever it is you want), because I have worked hard and tomorrow is another day.’

Talk about your success

Sure, your friends will think you’re annoying, but secretly they are all jealous. The more you talk about the positive changes you are making the more likely you are to keep going and who knows, you may inspire your friends to jump on that wagon with you!

 

Jessica Kuiken is a Los Angeles based Certified Pilates Instructor. You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter via her website Being In Balance Pilates.