Everything in Moderation..

At this time of the year,I start to see those people that are already thinking of their 'New Years Resolutions' and most of them involve changing their lifestyle to be more proactive with their health and to lose weight.

Unfortunately in my 15 years of being in the healthcare profession,these people either get some bad advice or no advice at all and subsequently end up crashing and burning and losing track of their goals within the first two weeks of the New Year.

And why is that? I think it is because their goals are too rigid with very little flexibility,and people try to do too much too soon and over complicate things. Why try to run a Marathon on New Years Day when you've never done a days exercise in your life? Why try to eat lettuce for a week when you have never dieted before?

My advice is this. Do what you need to do,take your time in doing it and do everything in Moderation...that way the journey will be less painful and the benefits are far more likely to remain with you for a lifetime of ingrained muscle memory. Plus you actually get to enjoy yourself along the way.

If you drink 4 cups of coffee a day and struggle to get your daily intake of water,then try to simply cut out one cup of coffee and replace it with a glass of water. At the end of the week you have had 7 cups of coffee (and sugar and dairy) less and 7 glasses of water more. Lay it out on the bench to see for yourself.Now THAT has to be better for you. And rather than subject yourself to 40 minutes of torture by running around the block..try preparing yourself for a 10 minute walk.Now THAT is easy. Because the hardest part about exercising is actually getting your shoes on and getting out the door. And once you are out the door on your "10 minute walk" you know that it will always end up being more. And when the moment grabs you,go for it and start upping the pace and getting the heart rate going. Remember.. "listen to your body."

Replace White bread with good quality Wheatmeal bread with grains. Switch from full fat milk to low fat. Serve yourself up your meals on a smaller serving plate. You will be surprised at how little you need to eat. How many times have you rushed in the door and had a 'bite' to eat before rushing off elsewhere,thinking you will have dinner when you get home..and then find that you actually aren't that hungry anymore. 
In short,make slow,simple changes rather than large radical ones.

If you enjoy social occassions then don't give them up. There is also a saying called "YOLO"..You Only Live Once!! But be smart about it and if you must,then treat yourself to an alcoholic drink with water as the mixer,and drink water in betweek drinks. Nothing like hydrating correctly while bringing in the New Year too!

And at the end of the day,if your body is telling you to rest..then REST. Don't beat yourself up for missing a day of exercise,but certainly aim to push yourself AT LEAST 3 times a week.And if the kids want to go to McDonalds on the weekend then for goodness sakes don't deprive them and you! Go for it..but be prepared to make up for it as well! Everything in moderation...

Be smart,be focused,set those goals and make them realistic and make sure that you are prepared to settle in for the long haul. Make unrealistic goals and set unreal deadlines then you can watch yourself crash and burn like thousands of others around the planet during January! Surround yourself with positive,like minded people who will encourage you and laugh with you along the way and you will be just fine.

If you need some guidance and/or reassurance then just email me at geoff@bayschiro.co.nz ,I'm always here to help .

Good Luck :)


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