Staying On Track When An Overhaul Is Necessary

Posted on May 30, 2009 by Andrew in Staying On Track .

The shear frustration created when you hit a workout plateau seems to be the reason why it gets all the attention as far as fitness footings go. But what’s a person to do when they are simply spiraling out of control in the wrong direction? How can you stop the bleeding when it comes to your health, fitness, and weight?

Step Back To Reflect

This is the most important part of enacting a drastic change to any part of your life. If you have seen your health, fitness and/or weight move rapidly in the wrong direction, it is imperative that you step back and ask yourself “What is it that I am doing that is creating this result?” It’s simple, cause and effect. You do one thing and the result will follow. You do something different and you see a different result.

What’s the best way to reflect? First off, start writing down everything you eat. Figure out how many calories you’re eating, how much of those calories are coming from processed sources, and lastly determine what vital nutrients are lacking from your diet. Then start an inventory of how much physical activity you are engaged in any given day. Try to estimate how many calories you are burning.

Assess The Situation

Now that you have some information to work with, take a look at it carefully. Are you eating 1,000 more calories than you are burning? Maybe more? If you are, start figuring out how and where you can cut the calories. Also, more importantly, figure out what types of food you are lacking (probably vegetables) and make smart substitutions. Switch out the late night greasy pizza for a dish of mixed grilled veggies. These switches will provide double the benefit because you will be eating less calories while getting more necessary nutrients.

Make The Lifestyle Change

With the data and the game plan at your fingertips, you know what you’ve got to do. Embrace your new lifestyle with the understanding that you are going to feel better, look better and above all else you will be taking responsibility for your own health.

You may not realize it, but you will also be safeguarding your loved ones from the burden of taking care of you if your lack of physical fitness leads to illness. It’s hard to think about situations which may occur in the distant future, however these should at least be in the back of your mind. I know I would never want my own mistakes to affect my family.

Take It One Step At A Time

While there is nothing wrong with understanding what you will have to do to turn your health and fitness around for the better, taking it one step at a time is a realistic, long-term approach. The main goal in the case of a health and fitness overhaul is to constantly move in the right direction.

In order to give yourself the best chance of success, take the example of the tortoise and the hare… slow and steady always wins the race! However, that is not to be applied literally since literally, the hare’s HIIT workout method will get you better fitness results than the tortoise’s steady state cardio. It’s a metaphor people, you get it!

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Tags: fitness, health, how to turn your fitness around, how to turn your health around, Nutrition, Staying On Track, staying on track with your fitness, staying on track with your nutrition, what should you do when your health and fitness are failing

2 Responses to “Staying On Track When An Overhaul Is Necessary”

Greg at Live Fit

May 31, 2009

6:04 am

One of the hardest parts about this is getting people to write down everything they eat. Much like budgeting, most people just don’t want to do this simple step, saying it’s too much trouble and they don’t need to do it.

Inertia.

Reply to this comment
- Andrew
  
  Jun 01, 2009
  
  6:56 pm
  
  Very true. I’ve heard the “too much trouble” phrase far too many times. Whenever I hear it, I tend to shut off the “help instinct” because it’s hard to help someone who isn’t willing to help themselves.
  
  All the Best,
  
  Andrew
  
  Reply to this comment