5 Ways To Get Back On Track

Back in 1995 I took a product – tablets – to lose weight.

The weight had crept up as it does when you finish school and your lifestyle changes.
Less exercise, later nights, poorer food choices, more coffee, more alcohol.

Next thing you know there's someone you vaguely recognise staring back at you.
And clothes are more skin-tight than skimming...

So I took the tablets. That lasted about 36 hours. A racing heart and runny tummy later I was done trying diet tabs!

What did I do about the weight?
I did join a gym for awhile.
I was conscious of what I ate for a time but...

it wasn’t until I saw a photo of myself from my European Tour that I realised I needed to do something.

And then serendipitously, I met a group of people who spoke about how by feeding the body good nutrition, the body could start o heal itself and lose weight.

I went on to lose 7kgs and drop a dress size.

....this is me in 1997 with my brother and me today!

So whether you’re starting your weight loss journey (or maybe it’s AGAIN),

finding yourself in the middle and on a plateau or

are working on maintaining your new found goal weight (which is way harder...) here are some ideas to keep you on track.

1. Wherever you are START NOW

Instead of focussing on the total number, what can you do right now to get moving in the direction of your goal?

So turn your focus to THIS day. What can you do right now?

Print a food log or download an app to track your food?
Menu plan for the rest of the week?
Leave your desk or house and walk for 5 minutes?
Do a No Sweat Workout that will leave you burning calories for the next 24 hours?
 
2.  Lose the Guilt
Release yourself from the woulda, shouldas.
You can’t go back and change them.

Of course, you can moan and whine about how you fell off the wagon.

But what will you do next time a similar situation comes up?

Surely you’re not going to do the same thing again?!!!
Be prepared.
Try this when you're wanting something sweet at the end of the day - 
Pop a frozen banana into the blender with a good serving of Double Cream Yoghurt, cinnamon and peanut butter.
Whizz it up and enjoy yumminess. 

• Have the biltong ready.
• Cut the carrot sticks so they’re ready to dip into the cottage cheese or hummus.
• Pack the nuts into your handbag.

And acknowledge your wins, your progress. Of course, you’re not going to celebrate with food. Find other ways...

3. Think of using pros for help
Maybe having a few sessions with a personal trainer will add value to your gym visits and give you the added accountability you need to keep on going.

A visit to a dietician or nutritionist could help you figure out what new foods you could introduce into your family’s menu This would benefit all of you.

A health coach can help you to stay on track and holds you to being accountable so that you can reach your goals. They’ll provide insights about food and lifestyle choices.

It can be useful to have someone with an impartial view be there to support you.

4. Reach out to friends and family
Let them know that you’re working on your health and weight goals.
Tell them WHY you’re doing it.
When your family knows WHY they can be more helpful and supportive towards your end goals.
You might even get yourself a “coach” who’ll keep you on track.

5 Make a plan
Meal planning sounds confining but when you know what you’re meant to be eating then there’s less chance to make poor choices.

• Aim to add veggies to every meal.
• Try adding a new fruit or vegetable to your menu each week.
• Most of us have a small selection of recipes that we use all the time.
• Try a new recipe twice a month.

It’s so easy to get stuck in a rut and eat the same foods each week.
<< Test First Name >>,You Are Not Alone.

Weight gain happens and it isn’t overnight.

It’s a result of a series of actions. Don’t give up or feel defeated.

It is way easier to change the ship’s course a few degrees at a time than to swing it around a full 180*.

What was your wakeup call I’d love to hear from you.