Pages

Monday, March 6, 2017

Love your body, or the struggle to realistic expectations



Pursuing a weight loss/fitness journey can be both rewarding and depressive at once.
Today I will try to guide you towards the healthy way of handling a body transformation:
Rule#1: Every body is different
Every person has a different metabolism, different body structure and different starting point. You should not expect to look like someone specific ( your yoga instructor, the personal trainer at the gym, the 16 year old runner…) as some factors cannot be changed ( initial weight, initial body type or built, age, initial level of fitness…).
Rule#2: You will cheat
No one can live on a low carbs diet, and high frequency and intensity sports regimen forever. There will be setbacks (a vacation, a stressful month at work, some life event, or just being famished). When it happens, and it will happen, just realize that it is not the end of the world, and you will be back on track tomorrow. Instead enjoy the good food and the rest, and move on!
Rule#3: ditch the scale
The scale can be both your best ally and your worst enemy. As a rule of thumb, if your clothes are still too tight, you aren’t losing weight, even if the scale says otherwise! And vice versa. Focus more on an infrequent body composition tests, to know how are your muscle and fat mass evolving, and trust your clothes, if you can fit in your favorite tight dress, it means it’s working.
Rule#4: set long term goals
Don’t make of your wishes expectations. Losing weight or getting fit takes time to show. So if you are sticking to your plan, just give it a few months before becoming cranky. Getting out of shape took some time, just give yourself as much time at least to get back in shape.
Rule#5: love yourself
Your biggest enemy on this journey is you. When everyone sees changes in your body, all what you see is the things that didn’t. Be your biggest fan, and encourage yourself daily instead of bringing yourself down. Acknowledge your success before someone else points it out.
Rule#6: you are not running for a fitness competition
Unless you are a professional athlete, keep in mind that you are not running for the Olympics. You do not have the time, nor the resources to reach the body of a professional athlete. Some things will still giggle; some things will look bloated someday. As long as you are moving towards the right direction, you are doing great. Stop comparing yourself to people who earn money out of their physique.

No comments:

Post a Comment