Many of us have new goals for 2016, and refocusing on our overall health and wellness is a common theme for many. This month, we interviewed CrossFit Orange Beach owner Amanda Manjone for some tips on becoming and staying motivated throughout the year.
- What are some ways to get motivated after the holidays?
For many people, the holidays are full of parties, family get-togethers and indulgent foods like cookies and pie. By the New Year, you may feel your pants have become a bit snug and realize that it’s time to make a change. Pants you can no longer button are definitely a reason to put more effort into your diet. Some people may have certain health issues that a clean diet and exercise could mitigate. No matter what your motivation is, try to involve your whole family. There is no need to make one meal for yourself and another for your spouse or children. Being healthy should and can be a way of life for your family. Do you live alone? Share your plans with friends who are also interested in making a change. Share recipes with each other or have a pot luck once a week.
- What are some tips to start off a healthy New Year?
Failure to plan is a plan to fail. It is imperative that you take the time to plan out your meals and prepare food in advance. Try to take a few hours each week to roast veggies, bake chicken for lunch salads, and write out a menu for your week’s meals. Keep healthy snacking options on hand like hardboiled eggs, raw veggies, and nuts. The more you do it, the easier it will become and you will soon realize that this is something you can stick to all year round.
- What are a few precautions to take before working out and exercising?
Taking things slow in the beginning is necessary but that should not be used as an excuse not to push yourself. As always, if you have any medical issues, talk to your doctor before beginning a new exercise program. Our bodies are capable of much more than we often give them credit for. When you begin to use your body in new ways, you will be amazed!
- What would you say to those who are unsure about beginning a healthy lifestyle change?
My biggest wish would be for people to stop looking at healthy eating and exercise as a thing to dread. There are so many diseases that can be prevented and healed through diet and exercise and it is time for us to make our health our responsibility again! Make your health and that of your family a priority! Alabama has one of the highest rates of Type 2 Diabetes. The good news is, we can change that. The best place to start is by taking a really good look at each and every thing you consume: read the labels and question its origins. You only get one body, treat it like a temple!
- What are some tips you can give for staying on track with your plan?
Do not set yourself up for failure by telling yourself you must be perfect. No one has a perfect diet or works out every day. Make your goal each day to be better than the day before. Focus on how your healthy choices make you feel rather than the number on the scale. Most importantly, stick with it. When you wake up in the morning feeling energetic, it will be all the motivation you will need!
Another great way to stay motivated is to create some sort of accountability. For example, this month we have a nutrition challenge going where each day you get points based on your diet and whether or not you worked out. The points are logged on a giant white board hanging on the wall in our facility. You are much less likely to binge eat all day knowing everyone will see how you did!
Tell your friends and family what you are doing. Use a tracker like MyFitnessPal and connect with friends. If your goal is weight loss, nutrition plays a much larger role in the equation. Do not fool yourself into thinking you can exercise off a bad diet.
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