When are you most aware of your body? The answer more often than not is summertime.
I mean is there anyone who really loves bathing suit shopping? I don’t care what size you are, we have all felt insecure and vulnerable when it comes to slipping into a bathing suit or short shorts. It’s tough: We feel we cannot live up to today’s standards. But I want to remind you not to stress out about getting to the perfect size or weight.
If you are concerned about your weight, talk with your doctor about what is a healthy weight for you, and work toward it – slowly.
It’s not easy, but perhaps these three tips will help you get started.
Tip No. 1: It’s a Process
On your journey you will face periods where you will get off track and you might make a bad decision or two along the way. Instead of giving up completely, try to shrug it off as a bad call in that moment of time and make the decision to do better for your next meal. For everyone who reaches their weight loss or health goals, they did not get there by being perfect 100 percent of the time.
Insider Tip: There is NO SUCH THING as perfect!
It took time to get to the point where you realized you needed to lose weight or make a change for the sake of your body and health. Likewise, it will also take time for that weight to come off.
It’s a process and does not happen overnight. Accept and embrace it as that will be a key to your success if you want to see your body change.
Homework: Find a positive affirmation that aligns to the acceptance of your body in the here and now. Example: I am grateful for my body. I am thankful that my body is changing for the betterment of my health!
Tip No. 2: Speak Positively About Your Body
What you tell yourself really matters! I believe that your mental well-being has a direct effect on your three other wellness factors (physical, spiritual and emotional).
Beating yourself up and hating your body will not get you anywhere. Speaking and thinking positively about yourself and not focusing only on the negative will prove beneficial to your journey.
Homework: What do you love about yourself? Do you love your eyes, hair, boobs, butt and/or legs? Whatever it is, write it down and continue to add to this list. Remind yourself of these every day and I promise it will help you achieve your goals.
Tip No. 3: Nourish Your Body With Whole Foods
It’s true! Your body craves good, healthy whole foods – fruits, protein and vegetables. While you may not think of a craving as a big salad, versus that last doughnut in the office break room, you know that you feel much better after eating healthy than you do after eating high-calorie and sugary foods.
Give your body what it needs to thrive: whole foods that are found in nature and not in a manufacturing facility. Don’t continue to eat on autopilot. Instead, slow it down and be mindful of what you are feeding your body.
Homework: Try writing down what you eat and drink for three days to bring awareness to what you put into your body. Oftentimes we do not realize what we actually consume day in and day out.
Although these tips are just barely skimming the surface of what we all need to do to transform our health and lives, it is a start! To support you in your goals to get summer ready, here is a link to a few quick recipes that will help you on your journey.
