Getting started on a healthier lifestyle

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Getting on track can take any number of paths.  Finding the right one for you is key.  Find your ‘Why,’ your ‘How,’ and go from there.

Say you want to get healthier but don’t know where to start.  Maybe you need to start over after an injury or falling off the wagon.  I understand completely.  Fibromyalgia flares make it difficult for me at times to stay motivated and if I slip into a bad place, I don’t just fall off the wagon.  I jump off with both feet and dive into the pool of Stuff that Hurts.  Getting on track can take any number of paths.  Finding the right one for you is key.

Before you find your way out, it’s a good idea to figure out how you found your way in.  From there, figure out what you want for yourself – find your why.  Why do you want to change?  Once you know your why, you can move on to how.  For me, I put on a great deal of weight initially after meeting my husband and slacking off on my fitness and eating plan.  I found my way back to fitness a few years ago and lost 30 pounds, but then my accident threw me off track in a big way. Add the additional pain and frustration of health issues into the mix and I find myself fighting for relief.  My reasons for change are to find relief from the severity of the pain and improve my overall health.  Those are non-negotiable.  Now it’s time to figure out how I make the changes that will bring improvement.

How to start on the road to better health depends on your personality and abilities.  If you’re an all-at-once type, then hit the ground running with an inclusive training program that includes an eating and fitness plan.  Go with a home-based program or join a gym.  If you need to ease into it, pick one area of concern and get it where you want it.  Start with a training program or focus on your dining habits.  Start dancing, walking, running, jumping, stretching, or punching and kicking your way into a less sedentary life.  If your eating habits are less than stellar, clean things up. Pick up information on clean eating, stock the freezer and pantry, and learn to cook.  Keep it simple if necessary.  Learn how to build a healthy and balanced plate, eat, and repeat.  I started with exercise before cleaning up my eating.   In my current condition,  my eating plan has to be on point because my training schedule depends on what my body can handle and recover from in a reasonable amount of time.

Notice I didn’t use the word ‘diet.’  Eating well is key, not dieting. Under fueling the body long-term results in weight gain.   Let my lifetime of crash dieting be a lesson to you.  It doesn’t help.  If the fitness program you choose tells you to eat 1,800 or more calories a day, eat them.  Your body needs them.

Alright, now you generally know what to do.  Figure out your why, decide on how, and get started.  If you need support, I’m here for you.  Hit me up on Facebook, Tumblr, G+, or Instagram for daily or weekly chat.  I’m still on my journey and by your side.

Until next time, peace!

See ya, January! Happy February!

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I’m glad to see January 2015 go. It was a craptacular month and I don’t think I could easily handle a second month of it. An annoying reason I hated the month is the setback. Grr, the setback. But, January is over and February is here. I’m ready for it.

I tried to post this yesterday, but the January Kick Ass continued for an extra day. My saved pots disappeared three times.  I was not amused.

My goals this month are to get my eating back on track and learn more about what ails me. Research might drive some people crazy, but it helps me feel like I have more control. The Fibromyalgia quirks and tummy issues don’t bother me as much since I have an idea what to expect. I hope that makes sense. I wonder sometimes if it does. If it doesn’t, I blame Fibro Brain. 🙂

And speaking of research, I picked up this goodie a few days ago. candida

Ricki Heller‘s blog is one of my favorite stops and I know the advice in this book in my hands will make a huge difference.  I’ll share more about the book and recipes here and in my Examiner column.  If you need sugar-free, gut-healing whole food recipes, take a look.

I was advised to consider the possibility of candida overgrowth a little over a year ago.  I took the assessment and scored in the top range before I completed the whole thing.  Oy.  Overachiever, I am.  These recipes work with my eating plan.  I just have to tweak things here and there.

For fitness, I’m starting another round of 21 Day Fix starting on February 8.  21 Day Fix Extreme drops today, but I am not ready for that one.  Both 21DF and 21DFX are designed to get you on track with 30 minute workouts (yes), an easy clean eating plan, and quick results.  All moves include a modifier front and center and only minimum equipment is required.  I’ll use resistance bands and my favorite exercise mat.  If you’d like more information on either program, give me a shout or visit my store.

21 day fix dvd

30 minutes a day, clean eats, and modified moves that even I can do. Love it!

 

Do you have specific plans or goals for February? If you need or want support and encouragement, give me a shout.  If you’re following a different program, it’s all good. This is all about support for whatever your goals are. Swing by Facebook and say hi.

Until next time, be good to yourself.  Remember that you are not alone and that you are your competition.

Peace!