How do I get started?

I think one of the most overwhelming pieces of starting a healthy lifestyle or beginning to lose weight is where to start. Depending on your current habits, it can seem like you need to change nearly everything to reach your goals. Scary right? Well, I am happy to say it doesn't have to be that way.


In deciding how to get started, you need to first decide what kind of personality you have in regards to change. This is how I sum it up: 


Type A - "Change...ahhhh!!!!" You do not adapt well to change, just the thought of it
overwhelms you.
Type B -  "I can change...but not overnight." Most common I think - you are fully willing to change, but cannot have too many things thrown at you at once. 
Type C -  "All or nothing" personality. You like to move forward full throttle, and feel as though you are not accomplishing anything if you do not change everything. 


The reason this is important is there are different ways of approaching a new healthy lifestyle. I am a type C, I like to know exactly what rules to follow, tell me what I can and cannot do, and let me start immediately. 


Regardless of personality type - everyone must begin with one thing - the understanding that excuses have to be thrown out the window, and failure is not an option. Whatever reason you have "failed" before does not apply now. There will always be a reason not to do something, a reason why it is too hard. You have to find the reason why it is worth it.


So, get out your pen, your laptop, your iPad, whatever, and write your list of excuses you will come up with to quit...trust me, you will find them. Not enough time, not enough money, no support system, not enough energy, too busy with the kids, going to school, working crazy amounts of hours...all challenges yes, but nothing that has to get in the way of changing your life. 


Second thing you must do is decide you are worth it. Sounds cheesy, but putting ourselves first often makes us feel as though we are neglecting others, our children, spouses, work, housework, etc. You have to understand that putting yourself first now will allow you to expand the quality of your life so much, you won't believe how much you will positively impact all the things you feel like you are neglecting in the beginning. And it will be worth it.


So now let's talk about what comes next. Where to begin? We all know to be healthy you are supposed to eat right and exercise, but the thought of hours on a treadmill and eating chicken breast and broccoli everyday doesn't seem appealing - to anyone. It never has to be that way. This is about finding out what works for you - and what works for you is completely different than what works for anybody else. You also don't know what works for you right now, you're going to learn that...and it will take time. It will also take having successes and set-backs (not failures, you never fail if you pick yourself back up).  


You are what you eat - absolutely! Your diet is the most important part of your new healthy lifestyle. But that doesn't mean you have to change everything overnight. Exercise is super important as well, but not necessarily for the weight loss piece...you will lose weight by changing your diet and paying attention to the amount of calories you eat. BUT - the energy, the amazing feeling of accomplishment, that will come from the exercise. 


Type As - Begin by changing small things each week. For example:
Week 1, you switch from drinking 4 sodas a day to drinking 3. You ensure you eat breakfast everyday regardless of what it is. You make sure you go to bed by 10 if you have to be up at 6. You commit to taking a 20 minute walk 3x a week.
Week 2 - You start paying attention to foods you buy a little more than before. You add 1 extra serving of fruits and vegetables to your diet each day (even if this means you are now only at 1!) Now you're upping your walks to 30 min 4x a week. 
Week 3 - You start clearing out your pantry of processed foods and refined sugars. You pay attention to when you're full, and do not eat beyond that. Sodas are now down to 2 a day. Keep up the walks of 30 min 4x a week.
Week 4 - You no longer buy white breads or pastas going forward. You now set a goal of 2 extra servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Walks are now 5 days a week!


Type Bs - Begin by making significant changes, but not changing everything.
Week 1 - You commit to no longer drinking your calories - you cut down soft drinks, sugary coffees & teas, etc. to one serving per day. You ensure you eat breakfast everyday comprised of a protein with a complex carb. You cut your portion sizes down and do not eat past comfortably full. You make sure you go to bed by 10 if you have to be up at 6. You commit to 30 minutes of exercise 3x a week. 
Week 2 -  You eat 5-7 small meals a day. You begin keeping a journal listing the foods you eat. You ensure to eat 3 servings of fruits and vegetables each day. You increase your exercise to 30 minutes 4x a week.
Week 3 - You plan out all your meals/recipes for the week and post it on the fridge. You clear out your pantry of processed foods and refined sugars.  Still getting your 30 min of exercise 4x a week.
Week 4 - You go through websites, figure out the calories you need to eat, and begin tracking the nutrition behind everything you eat. You now set a goal of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Exercise now at 5 days a week!



Type Cs - You are committed to changing everything.
Week 1 - You clear out your fridge/pantry of anything refined or highly processed. You stock up on veggies (fresh or frozen), fruits, proteins, 100% whole grain pastas & breads, and tons of water. You plan out all your meals/recipes for the week and post it on the fridge. You commit to working out 5 days a week for 30 minutes minimum. You ensure to get a minimum of 7 hours of sleep every night. You eat 5-7 small meals a day. You go through websites, figure out the calories you need to eat, and begin tracking everything you eat. You ensure to get 5 servings of fruits/veggies per day.


Last thing I will say is...do not choose your type! Be honest. If you are not the type to go all out, don't do it. Never set yourself up for failure, there is nothing wrong with taking it one step at a time. Much better to take it slow and stick with it, then go all out and quit after two days. 

So get started!!!

Here's where I started, 100 lbs ago...no shame, you start where you start!

Upcoming blog topics (in no particular order):
- Kick me when I'm down (moving on when you screw up!)
- How much is too much?
- Do I need to join a gym?
- Craving kickers
- Dealing with "Debbie downers"
- The balancing act
- Easy lunches
- How to involve your family
- How often do I weigh myself?
- MOTIVATION


Please let me know if there is anything in particular you would like to talk about! Don't forget to subscibe!


Lots of love,
Angie