My “Top 10″ to getting & staying at a healthy weight.

Happy New Year! Did any of you make resolutions? 70% of people make “weight
loss” part of their New Year’s Resolution. Sadly, only 6% succeed. If you
want to get to AND stay at a healthier weight here are my suggestions.

1. Ask God to help you, He cares about all parts of your life. Pray that He will give you
the strength to make healthy changes!

2. It starts with your attitude – Be thankful you are healthy enough to exercise. Be
thankful you have access to healthy food and clean drinking water. Don’t go – “poor
me I have to eat veggies” or “I hate exercising”. Imagine if tomorrow you were
in an accident and you couldn’t exercise wouldn’t you wish you could?? Imagine
if tomorrow you only had access to rice wouldn’t you miss a fresh apple?

3. Have your goals be based on your activities, not the results.

Goal:  Eat 7 servings of fruits & veggies each day this week

Goal: Exercise four times this week (of course have Faithful
Workouts be part of your exercise routine!!)

Not: Lose 5 pounds in 2 weeks

4. Find a friend to exercise with – it’s more fun and the accountability will make a
differenc.e

5. Cut back on sugar. Sugar is addictive, it feeds cancer cells, and it causes weight gain, premature aging and a multitude of other health problems. Sugar, in all its forms, is taking a toll on your health. You might be thinking this is a bit extreme but I have researched what added/refined sugar does to your body and I can’t stress enough how bad it is. As sugar consumption has increased in our country so has the number of overweight people.

6. Get rid of your excuses. The biggest reason people don’t exercise is because they say they don’t have time. OK, do you find the time to shower??? Do you find the time to eat?? You will find time to do the things you value. Remind yourself daily why you are making healthy changes. If you really value getting healthy you will find the time to exercise and eat properly.

7. Put together a plan. If you wake up and say, “If I have the time I will exercise
today” it probably won’t happen. Write down in your calendar when you will
exercise and make it a priority. If someone asks you to do something and it is
during your exercise time just let them know that is not a good time for you.
Your exercise time is one of the most important appointments you will make.

8. If you want to eat healthier you have to have healthy food in your home. If you don’t
want to eat junk food don’t have it in your home. I know for some this is a
challenge because you don’t have total control about what food is brought into
your home. If someone is bringing unhealthy food into your home sit with them
and explain how much you would appreciate it if they would not bring it home.
You could also ask them to hide it if they do bring it home. I know that might sound crazy but if you don’t see the food you won’t be tempted to eat it. Have healthy food ready to go. If I have whole red peppers in the fridge and I am hungry I might not take the time to wash and slice them but if they are in a baggie ready to go I will eat them. (I know you might be thinking – well I have to have treats in my home for my kids. Your kids don’t need Oreos or junk food.)

9. Don’t go on a “diet”.  When you put yourself on a “diet” it makes you
feel depressed. Instead just commit to eating healthier.

10. Like Nike says “Just do it”. I feel so bad for people who beat themselves up because
another year goes by and they haven’t made the changes they wanted to make. This is your year to stick with your plan for a healthier you. God wants you to care for your body. When you take proper care of your body you will have more energy, be sick less, have a better attitude……you will be in better shape
to respond to God’s calling on your life!

Please let me know if I can help you. I am here and I care about you!

Michelle