I know what works for me

 

on my own personal health and fitness journey.

Hey guys, welcome back to the blog. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the joys of February so far.

Just wanted to chat to you about something that happened at the weekend.

A nutrition fitness coach popped into my DM's. Which is cool, I've followed her for a while and enjoy her posts when they pop up in my feed. I must of liked something recently which prompted her to start a conversation.

She was just generally asking about my health and fitness journey, if I'm on one, if I'm working on any goals like weight loss, toning up and if I needed help with that.

Now I get it, that's her job, she probably has qualifications and tons of experience in that field, but I do constantly get the mlm people also sliding into my Dm's so I kinda know how these conversations are going to go. But I do like to chat as you never know something might be relevant for you. 

In this case though I was, I think, friendly back, lighthearted and basically said I'm ok and don't need any help, I know what I need to do. I felt I got a little shot down for my honest response. I was told she was pleased I feel I have the tools to be successful. I thanked her and moved on.

It got me to thinking. I personally do know what I need to do to maintain my weight, tone and basically keep myself on track to being healthy.

I'm not saying people shouldn't have help, quite the contrary. I think it's fab having all the information out there at our fingertips. That there are personal trainers, coaches, nutritionists because there are times when we do need the advice and professional guidance and maybe someone who will basically gives us the kick we need. But that's not for me.

I'm not a huge exercise person. I never have and at 43, 44 in a few weeks I know what works for me and what I'm prepared to do and what I want to do. It's also something I don't want to spend my money on. I do feel I have what I need to reach my personal goals for my own personal health and fitness journey.

It's a shame I felt the conversation went a bit soar. Maybe she thought I was being an idiot or seemed up myself because I basically didn't want any help. But to be honest, I really am in my saying No, not people pleasing, and being honest era. 

I would of thought/hoped a better response from her, considering she approached me and she was clearly going to offer her nutrition/coaching services, something like, 'no worries, good luck and my DM's are always open if you need any help and advice'. Which from a business point of view, you want to keep that option, even if it's very slim, open. I would of thought anyway.

If the response was a bit more like that then you never know in the future, if there was something she was promoting/selling that might of interested me, or I did feel I wanted the help and guidance of someone with the knowledge and know how, I may have got in touch with her. But because she did make me feel a bit miffed and confused by her short response, I'd be very reluctant to reach out to her now.

* * * * * *

For me I have lost weight recently and I am now happy with my weight, it's taken it's time for me to be in this head space, but I'm happy I'm finally there. I do now need to work on maintaining it though, which I do think is when the real hard work and effort comes in. I also want to tone up and make sure I eat healthily where possible.

I do think I am aware with what I need to do and how to do it, as what I want to achieve is pretty simple, tone and maintain. I mean it's not exactly rocket science is it. There is so much information online these days that any questions you have it is so easy to find an answer. Also with AI I'm finding Google to be so much more accurate and a good resource. 

I want to share with you some things I am doing at the moment to keep myself on track and to maintain a balanced all round healthy lifestyle - 

but first it's important to state that ↓

I haven't had any professional advice and I am not trained in anyway in health/fitness so this is just purely chatting about what I do and I'm not advising you to do what I do! I think these days we have to be clear and have to disclaim that!!

+ I have weekly weigh ins that I record in a little book. I also weigh myself during the week. I know that might be slightly controversial as it's not really recommended these days to weigh yourself constantly or take too much notice of the number on the scales. I find weighing myself helpful, as I can see how my weight is fluctuating & if I need to tweak things. Again, it's finding what works for you.

+ I don't drink fizzy drinks anymore. I've never really drunk full fat fizzy drinks, but I would have diet coke or coke zero quite regularly especially in the summer. I've completely stopped drinking any fizzy drinks, even diet/zero and haven't missed it at all. I don't know if this has had any affect on my weight, but I also want to work on looking after my insides too and I know all fizzy drinks are a big no no.

+ I very rarely drink alcohol. I used to love a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz, but I've completely cut down. I just don't fancy it any more and have stopped defaulting to a glass of wine when we're out just for the sake of it. To date I had a glass of white wine on Christmas Eve when we went out for lunch and then I had one glass just before my gum surgery. Other then that, nothing. I'm not going to say I'm completely giving up alcohol, but I am trying to cut down significantly.

+ During the week my dinners are usually salmon, veg and a small jacket potato. I try to be healthy where possible and like to load up on veg. I still have 'naughty' foods but try to keep these to the weekend. But I actually love salmon, so it doesn't feel like I'm restricting myself, quite the opposite.

+ I've cut down on sugar, which I think has really helped. I do still have chocolate and treats, but again I've really cut down. I do have my moments, but I'm so much better than I used to be. I've also started to have dark chocolate, over 70% which is actually good for you!

+ I walk everyday and achieve a least 6500 steps a day. I think this has helped maintain my weight. Having a consistent walk everyday also motivates me for my day, which is always a good thing. It is true what they say, exercise is good for our mental health too.

+ I have a little 3kg weight which I have started to use to help tone my arms. 

+ I also have some resistant bands - but I need to get myself into the habit to start using these!

+ I love to swim. So I am waiting patiently for the weather to warm up so we can start using our pool again. I swim everyday from probably late May through to the beginning of October. I start off with 30 lengths a day and build them up to 50 throughout the summer. I always notice during these months I am a lot more toned then the winter and it must be because of the swimming.

For me it's all about the little changes and slowly incorporating things or excluding things, but baby steps, no big sudden changes that I'm going to miss. This works for me and to the nutrition coach, yes I am having success with it. 

I know myself and what works for me. In my opinion whether you pay for guidance or not, ultimately it does come down to your own mind and self discipline and that you genuinely want to make the changes.

Because it is a journey and something I think should slowly becomes part of your personal lifestyle, your daily routine that ends up just being something you do everyday, it becomes natural. That way it sticks.

What do you guys think?

Are you on a health and fitness journey of some sorts?

 What do you like to do to keep yourself on track, any tips and tricks I should try?

♥ Heather