Since I have started my image journey, I have learned endless concepts about exercise and weight loss that I think can help anyone to start feeling better about their life and their ability to get in shape. When I first started exercising, I had no clue about what I was entering into. I know that there are still a lot of things to learn, but I can already see the pounds dropping off, with a combination of feeling better about my natural shape. Following are some of the things I’ve learned:
1. Exercise is no good if you eat chocolate at night. I’ve learned that my exercise and weight loss abilities doesn’t work if I don’t eat right. And, I don’t feel good or balanced in my body if I’m not eating right. It’s amazing how quickly the foods make a difference.
2. Keep a schedule. The hardest thing I had to face when I started my exercise regime was that I never felt like going to the gym. I’ve actually learned that by going at the same time everyday, it has built a habit where I don’t think about it anymore. I just go. It makes a huge difference.
3. Don’t calorie count. One of the huge mistakes I began to make when I started was I started weighing and measuring everything. More than that, I started counting how many calories I would eat a day and how much I would burn off. Honestly, it made me feel extremely bad about myself, like I wasn’t doing enough. I’ve realized since then, that it doesn’t matter. Just do the best you can and keep trying to fit into your natural body shape. I’m sure this isn’t something that a fitness instructor would tell you, but the idea is - (for me) - to not do anything that makes me lose my confidence. I think it is good to know where you are at and what you need to change, but not so much that it hinders the confidence.
4. Don’t compare. Going to the gym at first meant looking at all the small girls that were overworking themselves and the other sets that were lifting heavy weights. I’ve learned that this has hindered my progress. Now, I focus and don’t even notice anyone is there.
5. Know how to build a successful track record. I don’t know if any of you do this, but when I first started exercising, I would see where I needed to be and would say - “I’m not there yet.” It would immediately cause my self - confidence to go down and it became a huge problem. Now, I’m working on changing things so it says only things about success. For instance, if I eat well for one full day and go to the gym, then I know I’m doing good. I’m not focusing on how skinny I want to be or what I want back. Instead, I’m looking at how I do that day. It’s definitely helping me to feel better about myself.
I know this probably isn’t something that most exercise instructors would tell you. However, I’ve learned through the Become Stylish program and by learning what doesn’t work, that there are tricks that I have built to make sure that my self - confidence doesn’t go on a roller coaster ride and stop me from my exercise program. The more I get into my self - image, the less I worry about the typical gym or the counts you should have, and instead, I’m focusing on exercise and a health regime that is positive and is helping me to feel better about myself.
