Oh, the things I wish someone would have told me when I started on this crazy journey. People ask me regularly how long I have been “dieting” and working out and taking supplements and everything else in between. I am pretty open about everything ranging from things I found that made me fail and things that have allowed me to find some success. I hope some of my experiences can help you out.
First lesson and the hardest to swallow… It takes longer then you think. Whatever your “it” is, it’s going to take longer. It’s going to be a hard-fought battle that will consume you, but it’s going to take longer then you thought.
Perfect does not exist. This one is more so on the nutrition side, not fitness. I hear you loud and clear when you want to go SO STRICT until you reach your goal, and you start out that way and then all the sudden something you’ve cut out hits those lips because you must have tripped and fallen into a tub of ice cream and NOW you’ve fallen off the bus and are left in the dust because you tried to be to HARDCORE. Chill out. Budget in some treats, know there is a time and place for treats and sweets but don’t set your self up for failure by trying to be perfect, just be consistent.
The other variables, like hormone profile, water, stress, and sleep have a greater impact on your success then your food and exercise. If your hormones are wild, and your not drinking enough water and your stress if High with no sleep, your body is in full on survival mode, there ain’t no way your body is giving up that extra fat, it needs it for protection.
Pictures are the BEST form of progress no matter how embarrassed you are taking them and sharing them. The scale doesn’t always move.
Health is far more important then abs. Health can mean many different things to everyone. For some that’s a weekly date night, higher body fat and increased strength, improved sleep, less pain medication, off diabetic meds, off antidepressants, the list goes on! Abs do NOT equal happiness.
Every diet will work if you follow it but how long can you follow it. You want to do keto and that’s fine but do you never want to eat carbs again? Do you think that’s really the problem? Colored containers, fancy shakes, pills, whatever steals your cash, you bet they all will work but for how long? I stand strongly by this because I have tried them, they are garbage. Keto has a time and place, but not like the market is showcasing.
Variety in your diet is important. Eating the same things over and over will lead to the same results as being super strict. You’ll get bored and when you do deviate from the plan it’s going to get ugly.
Be loud and be proud, but don’t be annoying. Just because something works for you and you have had great results does not make you the next expert. I do think its great to share and support one another but like mentioned above there are FAR more factors determining your success then what you eat when you eat and how you eat, so don’t be discouraged if the meal plan your friend gives you doesn’t work for you, it wasn’t meant for you.
It’s not easy, it can make you feel like a crazy person, but the more consistent you become the better it gets and you’ll make it to your goal.