7 TIPS TO STAY MOTIVATED AND FINISH 2015 WITH A BANG

Welcome to the month of October. We are now in the final quarter of 2015, such an exciting season. Let’s focus on excellence; not to be confused with perfection.

‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’ -Aristotle

Summer is officially over, the temperatures are beginning to cool and comfort foods are all the rage; however, I greatly encourage you all to keep the fire lit and avoid the trap of placing your goals on the back burner.

Here are some practical tips to finish 2015 strong:

SET CLEAR REALISTIC GOALS: Avoid impossible goals, for e.g. Lose 10 lbs in a week. Goals such as these can lead to frustration, use of radical elimination diets that can get you stuck in the phenomenon of yoyo dieting. Instead set realistic goals like 5-8 lbs a month to prevent rebound.
EAT FOODS YOU LIKE: Its hard to stick to a diet consisting of foods you totally loathe. Start by making small changes. Replace unhealthy processed food with healthier homemade meals. And remember to drink lots of water; a hydrated body functions better.
GET RID OF TEMPTATIONS AT HOME: Its impossible to eat foods that you don't have. Clear your pantries of foods like candy, chips, etc. and replace with healthy snack options.
DON’T STARVE YOURSELF: We live in a world of instant gratification; your first inclination may be to skip meals to speed up the weight loss process. However, skipping meals is counter-productive. It slows down the metabolism and can bring your weight loss to a screeching halt. Instead, eat portioned meals tailored for your weight loss goals throughout the day.
BE CONSISTENT: To reiterate; ‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’ Ditch the all or nothing mentality. So you missed a workout, its not the end of the world. Keep going, small efforts eventually add up to amazing results.
FIND YOUR TRIBE: Find like minded people; when your motivation wanes they will be there cheering you on and encouraging you to keep going.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS: Celebrate every victory along the way, no matter how small.