Recently, I decided to try to make a lifestyle change. My goal was to make it to the gym every day for as many days in a row as I could and stick to a specific meal plan. I wanted to lose weight and feel better about my body. Now, I am not a skinny girl. I have curves, and I have come to terms with that. But that doesn't mean I wasn't going to try to better myself in the best way possible for my body. I didn't have unrealistic expectations, but I did have hopes.
I made it to about 17-18 days before I hit the week of spring break, and I can't tell you what a difference it made for my health. Yes, I could tell there was a positive physical impact on my body, but it was so much more than that.
I began waking up earlier and feeling more energized. I also found that I was sleeping better and not waking up in the middle of the night, and I was falling asleep and waking up naturally – nothing felt forced.
As routine for working out started to become habit, I also decided to stick to a sort of "meal plan". I was eating almost no carbs, sticking to tons of veggies and fruits and lots and lots of chicken, turkey burgers and fish. I also cut out soda completely and started drinking flavored water instead. Changing my eating habits was the hardest part for me, but after three weeks, it felt normal. My cravings weren’t overwhelming, I didn’t feel the need to eat when I was bored and at the end of the day, I felt like I was treating my body in a way I was completely happy and content with. I'm not going to lie, it was not easy. I had to tell myself over and over again to take it one day at a time. It helps to do it with a friend, but is absolutely doable on your own!
If you’re looking for a crazy diet or to lose weight quickly, this isn’t for you, but I ask you to reconsider the crazy methods that go along with those requests and consider taking the healthy approach and treating your body with respect and giving it the time it needs to make a lifestyle change, if that is what you’re looking for. Be patient with yourself, and know these things take time to get used to. But in the end, if you work hard, you will see results, feel like a new person and will feel yourself gaining more and more happiness.
Learning to love yourself and your body is the greatest result of all.
