Editor’s Note: This sponsored health and fitness column is written by Virginia Wright, founder of BbG Fitness, which offers group fitness classes around Arlington. Sign up for a free class today.
You eat healthfully and you’ve been exercising for a long time. You’ve tried lots of different diets and exercise programs so you consider yourself pretty knowledgeable about health and fitness. Does this sound like you?
But you don’t look or feel the way you want to or the way you think you should after so much time and effort.
What’s Keeping You From Becoming The Best Version Of Yourself?
First lets review what we all know to be true.
- In order to be in great shape you have to exercise most days.
- To build muscle — and strong bones — you must strength train at least three times a week to the point of muscle fatigue.
- If your goal is to lose weight and get to your optimal weight your diet has to include at least 80 percent healthful whole foods.
- If you want to get in shape and feel good, getting enough sleep — a minimum of seven hours — is essential.
What’s The Missing Link?
If you feel like you do all the things mentioned above but still are not where you want to be the reason is most likely inconsistency.
Simply put: if you can’t be consistent it’s very difficult to make progress! So how can you be more consistent with the things you already know will get you to the place you want to be?
Annie Changed Her Life!
For many of us who have tried for a long time but not realized success the answer is: Commitment and Accountability
First decide that this is what you want. You have to decide that you’re going to seriously commit to your health and wellbeing.
Commit To Something Bigger And External.
Set a tangible goal: I’ll lose 10 pounds by Feb. 15 or I’m going to lower my cholesterol with life style changes (yes, this is possible!)
Then plan how you’ll do it: I’ll cook or prepare most of my meals using healthful whole foods at home and dine out only twice a week. I’ll strength train three times every week and do some form of cardio that elevates my heart rate for thirty minutes two other days.
Then Make Yourself Accountable: Make a bet with a friend or co-worker, or join The BbG Six Weeks To Wellness Program that provides a place for you to check in each week and track your progress using charts we provide. If you prefer to work one on one why not hire a wellness coach*?
When You’re Accountable You’re Much More Likely To Finally Succeed!
There’s no time like the present. January is as good a time as any to start fresh. Stop talking about how you’re going to change and figure out a way to actually change! Make no mistake; it will be hard! It’s always easier to continue living the way we always have. Challenge yourself to change. You can control your health. You can control the way you look and feel.
We will show you how to make gradual, sustainable changes. Make 2014 the year you finally lose those extra pounds you’ve been hanging on to. No one likes to be unhealthy!
Imagine the new you. The new you will have more energy; have less joint pain; be happier; sleep better; be smarter; and be in better physical shape.
Our Six Weeks To Wellness Program begins Jan. 11.
Register today. BbG Fitness, LynnHatch Wellness*and Strength: Mind & Body* will help you on your journey to better health!
Ginny Wright has been a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor for more than 10 years. She received her Health Coaching certification through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York in 2007. The views and opinions expressed in the column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ARLnow.com.