Embrace the Process
Treat your transformation like a startup firm. There will be days when you want to give up. Some of your friends might stop talking to you as you embark on this journey of self-improvement and trust me you will not miss those friends. Don’t be disappointed by bumps on the road; embrace the process and fall in love with it. It is YOU working on your own body. The only body that will stay with you until your last breath. If you fall off track, get back on it and be realistic. It’s not about winning or losing, it’s about pushing onwards.
Build a Support Team
Having a support team is always a great idea. But how do you build a support team? Surround yourself with people who have similar goals, or who have already achieved what you want to achieve. If you are too shy to make new friends, use your phone and follow people on Instagram and Facebook. Reap benefits from new technology. Do not let others’ thoughts deviate you from your target. Many older people in South Asian culture tend to think chubby people look good and well, and lean people look gaunt and sick. Do not listen to them and instead continue to head towards your target.
Set Your Goals
Set clear short-term and long-term goals. A short-term goal could be a monthly goal, whereas a long-term goal is a weight target you want to reach. For example, a short-term goal is to lose 6-10 lbs in 1 month, and a long-term goal is to lose 60-100 lbs in a year. Make sure to have realistic, specific, and measurable goals. For example, don’t say you’re going to give up eating aloo paranta, when it’s what you look forward to every Sunday afternoon. Instead, limit that meal to once a month – or change the ingredients to make it healthier. Change one variable at a time. Start with working out three times per week and once you are consistent, then it will be time to work on your diet. Take time to celebrate small success and pause for a moment to cherish that success.
Eat Right Food
Make sure to have a balanced diet and enough calories in every meal based on your goals, and please don’t be afraid of eating fat like cheese, butter, and dairy. Plan weekly meals ahead of time – weekends are always best. Try new healthy recipes so that you don’t get bored of eating the same food again and again. Eat a healthy snack before going to a dinner party to avoid binging on pakore and samose as appetizers. Give friends and relatives strict instructions to bring fruits and nuts instead of laddoo (Indian sweets) on festive occasions. Avoid fat-free and sugar replacement products. Have a cheat MEAL not a cheat day to celebrate your weekly hard work.
Invest in Yourself
Starting this year, put money aside for your health every month. If achieving your health resolution requires you to join a gym – do it! Join that Pilates class you’ve been intrigued about or go with friends to a Bhangra workout class. Do it now rather than later. If your budget allows, hire a personal trainer so that you know you are on track and doing the right exercises. This makes you accountable to someone. Health should be first on your priority list. Money to upgrade your car or to get a new kitchen can wait. Let this year be about your investment in your health and wellness.
Brought to you by:
The Fitness Funk – Stay Fit Stand Strong
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