How is the New Year treating you?

We are almost three months in to 2014...so...how’s that New Year’s Resolution coming along?

For many of us who want to lose weight in the new year, this is the time we start falling off the wagon and lose interest in our goals we set back in December. It’s at this time most health clubs start seeing a decline in people coming to the gyms. This is why many clubs will run another sale in March.

So why do we give up so quickly on something we wanted so badly at one point in time? Why can’t we see past these first few months as being just the beginning of the healthier lifestyle we were trying to get live?

Maybe we depend too much on the scale! For many that’s the only way they think they’re getting any results. But that may not be true! If you are exercising more regularly and have started to adjust your eating habits, why stop there? If the pounds aren't dropping as quickly as they were to start with, it might just be your body adjusting to the new you. Give it time! You didn't pack on that extra 50+ pounds in one month, so don’t expect it to come off in a month.

Another thing to remember is that if you are working out more regularly and you’re eating a leaner, healthier diet you are probably replacing fat with muscle...and muscle weighs more than fat. This is a leaning out process--burn the fat and replace it with muscle. When you see the pictures of fitness models and you see those six pack abs, it means they have far less fat covering their ab muscles then the rest of us. And how did they get those sculpted bodies? By working out and eating lean, healthy foods for a long time. They didn't get that way over night.

We live in a “I want it NOW” world. No one wants to wait for anything. That’s why infomercials are successful selling the latest rapid weight loss plans, pills and workouts. It only takes a “10 minute workout," “5 minute abs”, “this juicing blender” or "take this pill and you’ll lose all the weight you want and you can eat whatever you want!" UGH! The best thing about all these products is that you don’t have to pay full price for them off the TV ads! Simply wait until THRIFT SALE season starts and you can pick them up really cheap.

Another problem many of us face is falling into a rut. Perhaps you have become complacent or worse yet you're weight loss has come to a halt and you are frustrated. If this is the case, I want you to think of this analogy…We have all had a really long and snowy winter and many of us may have had to push our cars out of the deep ruts in the snow or even the ditch. Staying on the road to a healthier lifestyle is really not much different than trying to drive for months in winter. When your body gets stuck “PUSH IT OUT!”

And if you drive into a ditch and things are really bad…YOU CALL FOR HELP! Help can come in many forms. Maybe you need a personal trainer. Or maybe you have a friend who is already living a healthier lifestyle who can help you. Or maybe there is something more you might need and a doctor can help. Whatever the case or situation may be, DON’T GIVE UP! Being healthy and staying healthy takes time. And I’m sorry to tell you but it’s a constant battle we must continue to fight all the time. But even after all of the ups and downs, the roadblocks, the ruts, the frustration, sweat and tears, living a healthy lifestyle is worth it.

Stay strong! Stay focused on your goals! But most of all NEVER GIVE UP!