My tips for getting started in a healthier direction

Two days in a row! What! Don't get used to it ;)

Lately, I've had a few people reach out and ask for tips on losing weight and getting healthier. As far as general tips go, I thought it made more sense to put some ideas on here. Some of these come from my personal experience with them, but mostly these are pretty one-size-fits-all.

---Ditch soft drinks &/or sweet tea

Sodas do your body zero favors. Diet or not, even artificial sweeteners send your hormones on a roller coaster that do not aid weight loss at all. Sweetened teas and sodas can pack upwards of 50 grams of sugar! That is far more than you should have in an entire day, much less in one drink. These may be tough habits to kick, but they can make a huge difference in your results. Honestly, this is one of those tough love moments where I say ya gotta pick what is more important to you. Think of the money you save switching to water at restaurants!

---Reduce added sugars

On that note, skim through your regular foods and reduce the ones that list maltodextrin, cane syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, etc. Better yet, choose whole foods over processed foods as often as possible. If you must go for something packaged, look for short and simple ingredient lists.

---Add in extra veggies

While it seems like "health" is all about the things you need to give up, it helps to add in good things. Focus on a veggie you like, and simply add it in every day. The more good and nutritious foods you add in, the more they can box out and take the place of less desirable choices.

---Surround yourself with supportive people

Shocker: not everyone wants you to succeed! I wish I could understand why this is, but I digress. Pinpoint the people in your life who cheer you on and can hold you accountable. These people are your tribe and need to be a part of your journey. You can't rely solely on extrinsic motivation like this, but it can help keep you focused when you're feeling especially weak. The best part of this one is social media is your friend! Follow inspiring women on Instagram and pin motivational quotes on Pinterest. The social media world is your oyster. Just don't fall into the trap of comparing yourself to others.

---Voice your goals

Be vocal. If you keep your goals quiet, it's much too easy to fall back into old ways. I can't tell you how many training plans I've started over the years just to quit within a few days and pretend like nothing ever happened. This is why I post about running on Instagram so much! It helps me feel accountable, even if no one out there cares about my running! (And that's ok.)

---Make at least one specific goal

Goals are meant to be strived for and reached. If your goal is to be healthy or to lose weight, how do you know if you've attained it? I could lose a single pound and have lost weight, so did I reach my goal? Probably not. It's all good and grand to want to be healthier, but you want to have specific goals. Set achievable goals and give yourself a time frame. "Be specific about your goals but flexible with your methods."

---Practice positive affirmations

We are so unbelievably mean to ourselves. If you kept a journal of all the negative thoughts that run through your mind on a daily basis, you'd be appalled. You certainly wouldn't say those things to anyone else. Start every single day with positive affirmations. You would be amazed how far something this small can take you. Tell yourself you are strong, capable, friendly, beautiful. All of those things are true, and life is much too short for you to not believe it. Seriously. Do this one.

---Ditch the diet mindset

Stop thinking in the short term. Once you reach your goal, do you want to go back to where you came from? No way Jose! I know you've heard it a million times, but this is about your life. Your lifestyle. Trying to make a million changes and lose 100 pounds is noble, but it ain't no short term goal. Start with one. single. habit. If you focus on one habit change over 30 days, you've got around and 80% chance of success. The moment you try to focus on two habits (think adding exercise AND seriously altering your diet), your chance goes way down to 30%. Take it one habit at a time.

---Take photos

I don't have any formal "before" pictures because my journey was such a gradual roller coaster. But I do love (and kinda don't love) looking back at pictures of me from 2010/2011ish and seeing how far I've come. Pictures can help you see your progress when you maybe aren't feeling like you've made much of an impact.

---Get outside

Ever have those days where you're just wallowing? Maybe it's just me... But I've found nothing picks you up and puts you in a refreshed mood quite like being outside. The weather is perfect for it right now, so make sure you spend a little bit of every single day outside. This works especially well if you're having one of those days where all you want to do is eat. Take a walk, sit under a tree, go to a park. DO something for your mental health.

---Dress the part

I've got an entire post planned for this topic, but suffice it to say for now, take pride in your appearance. This doesn't mean hit your "goal weight" then dress like a diva. NO! This means whatever makes you feel more beautiful now... do that! A little bit of mascara goes a long way with me, and I especially have to get out of my favorite frumpy clothes. Something a little more form-fitting looks much more flattering than that XXL t-shirt. I promise. Seriously, more to come on this topic.

---Acknowledge you won't always want to

Some days, your goals will feel like they weigh a ton. You may feel like it's too much, too difficult, impossible even. But just keep going. Be freaking Dory with your goals. Days turn into weeks which quickly turn into months, and if you're consistent, those months will reward your efforts. It's important for you to realize you won't want to focus on your goal every single day, but that's when it's vital you rely on your support group and plan. Don't ask yourself IF you're going to work out or IF you're going to make good food choices, but just make it a question of HOW. And don't be afraid to show yourself some tough love every now and then. Honesty with yourself is important.

You're never alone in these endeavors. There's always someone you know who can hold your hand on your journey, so be brave enough to put yourself out there and ask! I am so grateful to those who have helped me along the way, and I hope you're able to find someone you can relate to. If all else fails, I'm here for you!