You Started Your Journey, How Can You Stay On Track? 

(5 Things I Use To Keep Going)

There are moments where we catch momentum and start working out and eating right consistently for a few weeks. However, momentum doesn’t always last. This was true early in my journey, I hit a point where it was tough to really get going. This is when I usually would throw in the towel. This time was different though, through my coaches and my constant search to learn effective ways I was able to implement a few things to help me in my progress. I want to share five of them in hopes it may help you as well.

1)      Power of Schedules

I set aside a time window each day where I would get my exercise in. The time was 5 AM in the morning. I would wake up, freshen up, drink coffee or a pre-workout and I would press play on my dvd workouts in my living room. It was a great way to start my day and to get my body moving. Even better that the workouts lasted 30 minutes and required little to no weights. So it really didn’t affect my morning routine to go to work, it actually helped it since I was up earlier and able to leave on time and with energy.

2)      Snacking Smartly

I usually have an extra drawer in my office space at work that is usually empty. I started using it to store my snacks. Not just any snack, I made sure I picked up the right kind of snacks. My drawer is usually filled with granola bars, protein bars, peanut butter, and oatmeal to give an example. By doing this, I am ensuring myself that I do not go to the vending machine to buy chocolate bars or ice cream. Instead, I reach down and know that what I am snacking on is something that is working towards improving my health.

3)      Don’t Be Alarmed, It Is Just Your Reminders     

What helped me and a few of my clients is keeping an alarm for every 3 hours as a reminder to eat and drink my water. We did this for a few weeks before we turned it off and it helped develop our habits to eat often and in proportion. The iPhone even has an option to label the alarm so we added labels such as “shake” “snack” “lunch” etc. This tool definitely helps keep accountability.

4)      Your Best Friend Can Be Your Best Accountability Tool

Recruit a friend or two on the same road as you to help you out like taking a brisk walk at lunch, joining you for a short workout, or going to the gym. Having accountability partners helps all parties involved to push each other to get the work done. There is strength and support in numbers. I once coached a friend by having her walk with me at our lunch break, in a few weeks our energy levels went up and she started running after work and have seen great results ever since.

5)      Selfies Are Not Just For Fun

Taking progress pics every few weeks of consistent work helps you track your progress visually. Sometimes the scale does not measure everything. Seeing the inches fall off and have a way to visually compare will give a sense of progress. Once we start seeing results, it can help strengthen our resolve to keep pushing forward.

If you are well on your way or just starting out your journey, what tools or habits are  you using to keep that momentum going? I would love to hear from you.