
I’ve seen many fitness celebrities tweeting about the New Year. “Write down goals! What do you want out of life? How are you going to make 2012 a year of YOU?”
Here are my own tips for starting a new healthy lifestyle:
1. Don’t binge the week/days before you start your new program.
Don’t tell yourself you’ll never eat it again (and therefore, give yourself permission to indulge now). I can still eat chocolate, occasional desserts, sometimes I go out to eat, so why would I eat a lot before a new plan? You will see these foods again (and with time you will happily choose not to eat them!).
2. Keep a workout notebook
This is so important. Write down your workouts! I love flipping back to august and seeing how much (or more accurately, how little) weight I lifted. Keep track of timed planks, cardio sessions etc.
3. Progress Pics
I went through P90x a few years ago, and I wish I had taken pictures. I hardly remember what I looked like in the beginning, and all throughout the program I felt like it wasn’t changing my body that much. I stopped at day 75(out of 90) because I was annoyed! Take progress pictures. You will notice visible changes in body composition.
Take pictures from the front, side, back, and even sitting on your bed (take it from the side of your stomach here. If you change your diet, this angle is GREAT for noticing loss of fat over your abs.
4. Measurements
Here are sites to measure on your body
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-get-your-body-measurements.html
Buy a measuring tape like this one:
Keep track of these numbers! Measure yourself every 3-4 weeks.
5. See ya, Scale
If you’ve read my blog, you know the scale is guilty of the sin of omission (Keeps you in the dark about fat loss and muscle gain!). Try not to step on the scale each week. I probably weigh myself every 3 or 4 weeks. Place more value on your measurements and pictures.
6. Find a friend
Don’t try to do it alone. Get a friend to workout with, or make a private facebook group to talk about your health and fitness plans!
7. Stop the negative self-talk
This won’t get you anywhere. You aren’t a “bad” person because you have cellulite, are a size 12, or have a 42 inch waist. You simply have more adipose(fat) tissue on your body. When I’m in a dressing room and the lighting is harsh, it is so easy to think, “Yuck, I can’t believe I look like that.” I follow it up with , “So what, its just fat tissue, and if I keep doing what I’m doing, I will lose it.” You know the work that it takes to get rid of it, so do it!
8. Be realistic
How long did it take for you to gain the weight you’re trying to lose? Don’t expect it to be gone in 2 weeks or even 1 month. Gradually weight loss is lasting weight loss!
9. Weight loss is the hardest part, maintenance is easier!
A calorie deficit is never a fun thing! Once you reach your weight loss goal, you do not need to eat in a deficit anymore. Stick with your healthy food options and exercise- the hardest part is over!
10. Get ready for a new You
I spent years of my life thinking other girls were better than me because of my weight. Don’t let your weight hold you back from living a happy life! That being said, fat loss itself will not make you happy- you decide to be happy with your body, and I’m happy to say it gets easier to have self-acceptance the further away you get from the teenage and college years. Stop caring what other people think.
ENJOY your life. Do it for YOU and your health!


















