This is a Guest post by Dana Gore. Dana is the creator of I AM MY Imagination and Author of the book, “A Simple Guide to Exercise Safety (What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt You)”, Dana brings guidance to the public about how to achieve optimal health in a safe and structured manner. She inspires her readers to seek self-awareness and inner peace as a means to well-being in all areas of life.
With an abundance of diet and exercise programs on the market, along with the promise that if you purchase the latest “product of the month”, it can feel a bit confusing trying to figure out what might work… and if so, whether or not it’s right for you.
In the years that I’ve been in the health and fitness industry, I’ve noticed a couple of things that you might be able to relate to.
One of them being that regardless of how many solutions there are in regard to weight loss, people only seem to be gaining more weight and suffering the ill effects of poor health.
The other is that there are programs out there that offer a quick fix to a problem that for many of you, has taken a lifetime to create.
Here’s the thing…
There are no magic pills or fixes when it comes to your well-being.
While that may seem like bad news, there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
And that is…
Optimal health and well-being can be a simple, pleasant and rewarding journey if you know how to go about it in the right way.
So with this being said, what are some easy ways to help you to get started on the path to wellness in a safe and structured manner?
Here are some tips I think you’ll be able to follow without any difficulty.
How to Start a Safe and Structured Health and Fitness Program in 3 Easy Steps
1 – Take Inventory of Who You REALLY Are
Every effect we experience in life stems from a root cause. If you are someone who wants to lose weight and keep it off, you’ll have to get to know why you have gained weight to begin with.
You can ask yourself questions like:
- What do I believe about myself, food and physical activity?
- What are my thoughts and habits like?
- What would make me feel excited about eating right?
- Are there any types of physical activity that I might enjoy?
- How important is this to me?
- Why am I looking to do this?
Take some time to sit down with a pencil and sheet of paper and think about your answers. I had to personally take inventory of myself when I had embarked upon my own weight loss journey (I was over 200 pounds) – and doing the inner-work is what freed me from the painful cycle of yo-yo dieting, eating disorders and inactivity.
2 – Browse and Experiment
Now that you’ve answered some questions about the cause of your current predicament, it’s time to do some shopping (and who doesn’t love some of that?)
If you have decided (from your answers) that you would like to learn more about Yoga and its benefits in regard to strengthening the body while calming the mind, then do a little research and see what type may be most suitable for you.
You can do this in regard to any fitness program as the same rules apply. If you want to learn to dance, take a class. If you like walking, start a fitness walking program – and invite friends and loved ones along.
When it comes to diet, now that you’ve uncovered the fact that you hate vegetables (but you looooove chips), ask yourself if there’s a way to recreate chips using potatoes or even sweet potatoes and find a recipe that allows you to do this using healthy and nutrient dense ingredients.
Consider finding (or starting) a healthy pot luck and surround yourself with fun and creative dishes that inspire healthy living.
This can be fun! Follow the path of least resistance (meaning, find what feels natural) and take your time. Shop around and see what draws you in. This is how you’ll stick with it.
3 – Practice Safety
The idea behind incorporating a safe and structured health and fitness program into your life is to do this with mindfulness and awareness.
If you’re going to start a new way of eating, make sure you’re following a plan that is suited for you – and doesn’t simply follow what the crowd is doing.
There are many diets out there that eliminate pivotal food groups and only serve to cause more harm than good. Eat a well-balanced diet – and if you have any food allergies, consult a registered dietitian for proper guidance.
When it comes to exercise, know there are certain rules you must follow in order to prevent unnecessary injury.
If you hire a trainer, make sure they’re educated and well-qualified to instruct you. Know your medical history and respect any injuries you either currently have, or have endured over the years.
Be mindful of exercising in extreme temperatures and make sure you stay hydrated.
Exercise like a beginner if you ARE a beginner and increase your level of difficulty only as you become conditioned enough to do so safely.
By following the tips I have shared with you here, you will find yourself in a position to introduce well-being into your life and experience the benefits for many years to come.
You’ll become someone who simply lives to be healthy and well – and the chances of needing a weight loss program sometime in the future will decrease significantly.
It’s Time To Get Your “Fit” On with Dana! #fitness #healthPowered By the Tweet This Plugin
Over to you…
Does this make sense to you? How do you feel about including a health and fitness program into your life in a way that makes it fun, realistic and creative?
If you’d like to see more from Dana, you can visit her at:
Website | Twitter | Facebook Fan Page| Google+ | Pinterest
And Sign Up for Our Newsletter so you know when she publishes another fabulous post! Dana will be joining the MGP Team as a Contributor in December 2015!
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