FITNESS TIP OF THE DAY: ONE DAY AT A TIME!

I just got off the phone with a client who was complaining: "I JUST WANT THE WEIGHT OFF NOW!"  After calming her down and explaining that that is not humanly possible, I tried to give her some good tips on begininning HEALTHY LIVING and EXERCISING and NOT DIETING!!!

1. Take one day at a time. Do NOT think ahead...what will I look like in six weeks, six months, one year? The most important day is TODAY, right now, the choices you make now are the most important. Thinking ahead will overwhelm and eventually backfire. Most depressed and overweight people are so worried about the future that they fail to live in the moment and miss their daily lives. LIVE IN THE MOMENT

2. DO NOT go cold turkey into a workout plan and meal plan. This is TOO EXTREME. Start with one habit at a time. Maybe this week you add in 30 minutes of cardio 3x a week by walking the dog. Maybe you cut out pop or sugar cereals this week. Do not try to "go on a diet" today. This will only backfire.

3. Set realistic goals and not POUNDS.  "I want to lose fifty pounds" type mentality is setting yourself up for failure.  Listen to your body and make realistic goals. But a pair of jeans that you would like to fit into in six months.

4. Get off the scale. Period! You don't need it. At my most fit I was 5 5, 140 lbs with little to no bodyfat. Muscle weighs more than fat.

5. You will have bad days. Do not throw in the towel. Keep moving, decide to make fitness a part of your life for the rest of your life.

6. Stop comparing and embrace your body. Just because your best friend lost 20 lbs on the "all grapefruit diet" doesnt mean you need to get on that diet as well. Eat when you are hungry, eat sensibly and buy any book by Genine Roth if you have any type of eating disorders or issues.

7. STOP DIETING. Stop counting calories. Stop weighing your food. Unless you are getting ready for a competition I've learned that this type of restricting sets you up for binging lately. Eat every few hours and only when you are hungry. Eat until you are full. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

8. Eat Healthfully and treat yourself moderately

9. You have 24 hours in a day. Certainly ONE of those hours can be dedicated to exercise. Stop making excuses.

10. Love yourself and love your body. This will make you more attractive on the inside and the outside.