Breathe Magazine

Why’s it so hard to eat right? Why is it so hard to exercise consistently? Why is it so hard to lose weight? It’s simple: because people want results without actually having to work for them. People want instant gratification. They want to see the fruits of their labor immediately. They want to be able to get results without actually changing their behaviors. “I ate well for 3 days, but no results! I’m discouraged! What’s the point? I’m going to go check out what’s in the fridge…”

Many say eating healthy and exercising is a lesson in willpower. Willpower, to me, means tempting yourself and then forcing yourself not to give into the temptation.  Temptation could mean eating those cookies that are in the cupboard, or it could mean skipping your morning workout to get a few more minutes of sleep.  Either way, willpower should have nothing to do with it. 

If you were locked in a room full of Snickers and resisted eating every single one, will you lose more weight than if you stayed away from them completely? Not even close. Will you be more likely to eat one? Yes. Will you be horribly cranky and not be able to get those Snickers bars off your mind? Absolutely.

How about instead of setting yourself up with the possibility of failure, you set yourself up for success. This way, failure is not even an option.

Here are a few ways to fail proof your healthy lifestyle:
• Make a list of all the possible workouts you have access to: your gym, at home, outside, etc. This way, if one doesn’t appeal to you, or say, it’s raining, you have a list of workouts to do in it’s place. Variety is also important to see results, so use your list and use it often.

• Fill your house with healthy foods. If it is around, you will eat it. This goes for both the crap food, and the healthy stuff. If it isn’t in your home, tempting and taunting you, you can’t eat it, right? And if you have a kitchen full of fresh fruit and veggies, you’ll hit your daily requirements for sure.

• Don’t leave home without your workout gear. Throw a pair of old tennis shoes in the trunk of your car, along with some comfy pants and a tshirt, and you’ll be ready for a workout anywhere. If sudden motivation strikes, you can take advantage, and if you forget something on the way to the gym, you’ll always have a backup.

• Pack your meals ahead of time, to avoid a last minute run through the drive-thru.

• Stock your purse or car with healthy, portable, non perishable snacks, so if you ever get caught without anything to eat, you have a healthy choice within reach.

• If you find yourself having trouble making time for a workout, go in the morning. The more time you put it off, the more excuses you will make to skip it. Plus, the morning exercise will leave you feeling energized and happy all day long.

• Lay out your workout clothes the night before so you can just get up, get dressed and go.

• Make extras of healthy meals for easy to grab left-overs.

• When going out to dinner, decide what you will choose ahead of time. Most menus are online, so you can decide on a healthy option before you go, instead of getting caught up in the moment (and appetizers) at the restaurant.

  You are going to have to make changes- you aren’t going to be able to continue to do the same things and eat the same foods you always have.  If you want to see a change, you are going to have to make some changes.  Surround yourself with an environment for success.   Living a healthy lifestyle is hard enough, don’t put extra obstacles in your own way.