Weight loss & willpower: how to eliminate excuses...

Although eradicating excuses is equally as essential as eliminating excess energy when it comes to weight loss, many continue to convince themselves that they're too tried, time poor and tempted by tasty treats (etc!) to create positive change.

In order to ensure that you eliminate the exaggerated excuses that hinder healthier habits, we've created our top tips for how to conquer the five most common culprits responsible for reinforcing the urge to resort back to unhealthy behaviour...

1. Excuse: I ache too much to train.
Although delayed onset muscle soreness (also referred to as DOMS) can force skeletal muscles to feel stiff and sore in the days following a strenuous training session, it doesn't resemble a reason to slouch on the sofa.

Eliminate it by: resorting to active recovery.
If your body feels too battered to execute more energetic movement, opting for a walking workout as opposed to another strenuous session will aid aching muscles whilst ensuring that you continue to eliminate the excess energy that's tightening your trousers.

2. Excuse: I can't afford healthier foods.
As satisfying as it may be to scoff a (so-called) 'superfood' salad, healthier eating doesn't have to be costly, complex or time consuming in order to be effective.

Eliminate it by: going back to basics in the kitchen.
Instead of raising the risk of resorting back to your unhealthy habits by struggling to create unrealistic recipes from scratch, focus on the fundamentals of nutrition by keeping things speedy, simple and sustainable in the kitchen - homemade stews, soups and salads (sweet and savoury!) all make cheap and convenient meals that can be created using unbranded, bulk and/or bargain buys.

3. Excuse: Diets don't work for me.
Frequently failing to fight the flab may be frustrating, but this doesn't mean that all 'diets' are destined for disaster.

Eliminate it by: mastering the right mindset.
Learning to differentiate dieting - a short-term slimming solution that dictates and deprives - from healthier eating habits - simple and sustainable food and fluid swaps that are both sensible and satisfying - will not only ensure that you ditch the detrimental diets that diminish determination, but eliminate the exaggerated excuses that sabotage weight loss success.

4. Excuse: I lack motivation.
Although factors such as stress, hormones, emotions and insufficient sleep can all have a negative affect on motivation, non resemble realistic reasons to tuck into a takeaway in front of the TV.

Eliminate it by: focusing on how you feel.
Taking the time to focus on how you feel when you slouch on the sofa with a feast of food (fatigued and full of guilt) will reinforce the realisation that healthier eating and exercise are exactly what you need to stay fuelled and focused during difficult days - we naturally feel fitter, happier and healthier when we nourish (and exercise) our body with a nutrient dense diet.

5. Excuse: I don't have time to eat well and exercise.
A strategic schedule may see us struggling to find the time for (healthier) food and fitness, but this doesn't mean that a hectic lifestyle has to hinder our healthier habits.

Eliminate it by: finding (and making) time.
Whether it's working out whilst watching TV or favouring food prep over time on technology, everyone has (or can make) the time to eat well and exercise if they truly want to banish their unhealthy habits.

Final thought: excuses often evolve from fear - be it a fear of failure, a fear of change or a fear of the unknown (etc). Until we're willing to face our fear/s and step outside of our comfort zone, we will continue to create the exaggerated excuses that cease the creation of positive change.

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