Summary: Manage your expectations with your health and fitness lifestyle. Pay attention to these 8 truths that will help you better realize those New Year’s health goals you keep putting off.
Most people seek out opinions that match up with theirs or are what they want to hear. You’ve probably heard the phrase that you can find articles and people who will back up any opinion out there, and it’s completely true. However, if you want to be completely honest with yourself, sometimes you have to suck it up and hear and accept things that you might not want to hear.
When it comes to health and fitness, we like to think that we’re doing a good job no matter what it is that we’re doing. Again, you’ll find support for any diet or lifestyle out there but health is not cookie-cutter because every person’s body and personality are different. If you’re ready to face the facts and let go of what you wish is true, here are ten truths you need to hear about health and fitness.
- Some people have to work harder than others. You might start a program or add in healthy habits with your friend or significant other and find that they see better results than you. Genetically, some people just build muscle more quickly than others as well as the fact that men and women have different metabolisms. While this can be incredibly frustrating, don’t let it keep you from your goals.
- What works for someone else may not work for you. Along the same lines as the above, everyone’s body is different. Your friend may feel great being vegetarian or doing a low-carb program, while you might feel exhausted or see no results. Try several things to find what works best for you body and lifestyle.
- Changing your health is not easy. We are often drawn to products because they tell us that simply taking a pill, using a wrap or eating their food will make you drop pounds. Unfortunately, these are either quick fixes that don’t last, or they won’t work at all, and you’ll be out a lot of money and time. There are no quick fixes. Improving your health and fitness takes time, effort and consistency.
- You have to focus on the long term. Most people stick to diets for the short term to prep for a beach vacation or a wedding and then go back to their old ways right afterward because their diet wasn’t sustainable. Find a healthy lifestyle that you can stick to all year round and not just for a month or two.
- Health and fitness can become obsessive. While you might start out with positive intentions, many people can become obsessed with counting calories or exercise. Eating disorders don’t just fall into the categories of anorexia or bulimia; there’s a lot of gray area in between. Nip this in the bud by backing off or talking to a therapist if you find yourself overdoing things.
- You have to make health a priority. So many people will skip out on their workouts or grab fast food because they feel like they just don’t have time to make a different choice. The problem isn’t that you don’t have enough time, it’s that you’re prioritizing other things over your health and fitness goals.
- You don’t have to be perfect. Many people have all or nothing personalities and think that if they mess up their nutrition or fitness plan, then they might as well give up, at least for that week or weekend. Just making positive changes and being as consistent as you can is all you need to do. Life is about balance, so enjoy the cake at a wedding or skip a workout for a family day without beating yourself up about it.
- Being thin won’t make you happy. So many people believe that if they were just a few sizes smaller, then they will be much happier. Take it from those who have learned the hard way: being thinner doesn’t make your problems go away. Sure, you might feel better in your bikini, but you’ll be sorely disappointed if you’re basing your happiness on reaching that weight goal. Figure out how to be happy as you are now and then work on losing weight if it makes you physically feel better or improves your health.