In today's society, all you see on the front page of magazines are about being or becoming skinny, or you will see *insert name of big star here* lost 30 pounds fast find out how. Instead of being so fixated on the term "skinny," we should really focus on "healthy." Disclaimer: I do in fact know that some people have a small build, but you too can be healthier.
Believe it or not, this is me. I used to be so obsessed with trying to be skinny, and boy was I wrong. These pictures were taken seven months apart and show a difference of around 70 pounds (I have lost more since then). During my weight loss journey, I finally decided I was doing this to be healthy and not skinny. I started this journey not to be skinny--the first reason as to why I wanted to do this, but because I knew inside of me that the route I was originally taking was going to harm me in the long run. Everyone always wants to know how I did it, so here is my secret.
Being healthy starts mentally--your mind has to be healthy, starting with a positive attitude. My first piece of advice to anyone that wants to start this journey is to get a great support system. Mine starts with my health nut of a mother, but I was lucky enough to have a best friend that jumped on board when I said I was going to start working out. We ended up starting a workout group with the most amazing group of ladies--they deserve a shout out so thank you to Kerra, Diamond, and Rhea. I am also apart of an accountability group that is always so encouraging (shout out to Mandi for keeping me in line). With that being said, make sure you find someone that is there with you along the way and pushes you to do your best.
Get moving! You can incorporate the simple act of walking every single day. I began writing my own work out plans that happen to work differently on some people. For me it burned fat and built muscle, and for my workout partner muscle gains and toning up. The important part is that we were moving. That is the best way to start working out is trying to become motivated to move. In today's culture it is very hard to put the phone down, stop watching television or even get off the couch, but if you just start moving for at least 30 minutes a day you can change your life for the better.
Eat cleaner. WOW! Possibly the hardest thing to do. This generation is a drive-thru generation, we find it easier to drive up to a restaurant and order and eat from a bag than to go home and cook a meal. Eating healthier makes you feel so much better and trust me, it will change your life and the way you do things. You can also save money, and even get better at cooking. Find healthy snacks you love and that are good for you and can do more for you. You can find tons of healthy recipes on Pinterest.
So get out and get moving and motivated so you can be truly healthy and not just "skinny." Have fun with the life you have, you only get one!
