Don't give up!

We only have a few more weeks left!  I hope that we use this challenge to jump start our healthy lifestyle change permanently.  I looked up some ideas on how to continue to be healthy and keep weight off.  I hope some of these will help us in next several months.

   1.) Plan, Plan Plan.  Whether it's planning out our meals or reviewing what food challenges you might encounter during the day, it will help us fight those extra calories. The prophets have told us time and time again to be prepared!
  2.) Measure yourself.  Keep tabs on your weight.  We need to periodically check  ourselves either by the scale or our favorite pair of jeans. Don't let your weight get away from you.  It's a lot more daunting to know that you have to lose 10 lbs instead just 3!
   3.)Get a Mini-Mantra.  Have a inspiring slogan that help you say no to unhealthy foods.  I have several times said to myself, "I WILL regret this." and it seems to help. 
  4.) Keep a picture of yourself.  Take a good picture at your current weight. Put it on the fridge or in your car.  Put it in places that you know you will see it when you have a craving for unhealthy foods.
   5.)Make it for good. Eating healthy foods only until you hit your target weight doesn't do much for your weight--or health--in the long run. Getting healthy is a lifestyle choice that has to last. As my dad puts it: "If you do what you have always done you will always be able to do it."  It may not be as fast or without aches.  This is why my dad, who is over 60, can run 6 miles without thinking about it.  If you exercise on a regular basis, you will be able to do so your entire life.
   6.) Take a Break. Don't take a break from eating healthy, just take a break from eating!  Have parts of your day where you immerse yourself in non-eating activities. The hormones that work to break down fat and glycogen need time to work, that means not eating for an hour or two.
    7.) Have a Love Affair with Exercise. It revs up your metabolism, making your body a fat-burning machine. This allows you to eat more and still have even better results than healthy eating alone.  The more we move, the more our bodies crave it! It becomes a "GET TO" instead of a" HAVE TO".
  8.) Find Support. Strength is all about numbers. Women, especially, have a chance to instantly create support groups (willing or not). If we buy, prepare, cook and eat healthy, our family will have no choice but to join in the fun.  This challenge has been the push that many of us needed.
   9.)Treat Yourself. Once a day, you can eat just to eat. What food lover doesn't love that? Don't  wreck your whole day, but make it tasty enough that you look forward to it. Also make sure that it's satisfying enough that you won't be craving more right away.
    10.) Enjoy life.  There is no reason that you can't enjoy being healthy.  If you can't find joy in your lifestyle change, it will never stick.  Find exercises and activities that you enjoy doing.  Set goals for yourself so that you can enjoy the satisfaction of accomplishing them.  Who's up for running the half-marathon (13.8 miles) in Vegas this year?  Wouldn't that be a huge accomplishment?  It's a great goal, and who knows, you might actually enjoy it!