missionmightymom

We all want to be healthy. Most of us want to eat right. But getting started can be a daunting task. There is so much information out there on diet, exercise, do this, eat that, go vegan, don’t lift…It’s overwhelming and to a novice, can be down right discouraging.

I am not a certified trainer, nor am I a licensed nutritionist, although I would love to one day be both. But I do have a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science and a passion for reading and studying all things related to fitness and nutrition, and there is a lot to read and study.

For anyone considering taking the first step, understand this, not everything will work for everyone. But there is something that will work for you. And to offer a little encouragement I have explained away a few of the misconceptions that many get caught up on, and then turned off by.

In order to loose weight, I must ‘diet’, feel hungry, count calories…

• Not true! Not even close. Starving your body actually slows down your metabolism. It’s best to try and eat several smaller meals and snacks throughout the day in order to keep your metabolism burning full steam. You should never-ever feel hungry.
• A ‘diet’ that is temporary will not work. You have to find something sustainable. Something you can live with, enjoy even. It’s a lifestyle.

It says ‘sugar-free’ so it must be healthy…

• Absolutely not. When sugar is removed it is most often replaced by more fat, and not the good kind. Yes, there is a good kind of fat.

Exercising takes up to much time…

• It doesn’t have to. The saying “quality vs. quantity” has never been more true than when relating to exercise. Thirty minutes a day, 4-5 times a week (a measly 2.5 hours a week) can be adequate. This is all the time that I have to work out. If you approach your fitness routine with intensity and determination, you will see results.

But I HATE running…

• Then don’t run. Hate lifting weights, then don’t lift. Just move. Swim. Hike. Bike. Dance. Jump. PLAY!

Cooking/Eating healthy is confusing…

• It’s really not. It’s actually common-sense. Eat fresh (or frozen) fruits and vegetables. Stay away from pre-packaged meals. Shop the perimeter of the grocery store. Enjoy everything in moderation. Invest in a food steamer with which you can cook an entire meal in 10 minutes.

I can’t afford a gym membership…

• So! Push-up. Pull-up. Dip. There are plenty of weight-baring exercises that can yield you the same (if not better) results as the machines that the gym offers.

Don’t be discouraged. Don’t get overwhelmed. Fitness is actually quite a simple concept. EAT for goodness sake. Just do it conscientiously. And MOVE. Find what you enjoy and move. That’s it. In a nutshell.