Moderation

So Jessica has been doing a series on Body Image on her blog:
belly.life

And my health and fitness studio is starting it's next weight-loss challenge:
facebook.com/Melashealthandfitness

So of course, how we look and how we perceive ourselves has been on my mind a lot lately.
I'm currently reading Look Good, Feel Great by Joyce Meyer.
To all the shocked faces - yes I'm a Christian and yes I Belly dance!!!

That's a whole other blog, for dealing with why I feel there is no religious contradiction. (I'm going to have to start a list @ some point)

My stand as a health and fitness instructor is moderation, and making little changes to your everyday routine. Being healthy and fit is a lifestyle choice, fad diets and crazy workout regimes, get you quick, "unkeepable" results. Breaking bad habits and replacing them with new better one's takes time and commitment and trying to fix 3 or 4 at once is a recipe for failure.

I know there is some of you going, but I did it all at once - Awesome, but most of us fall in the trap of tomorrow, or just this once or time, kids, husbands, work, stress (come on you can think of a few more excuses I'm sure) For those of us with "mental blocks" on our will power, slower is better, slower is easier and easier makes it doable, when you are juggling, work, husbands, kids and trying to fit in me time and a social life!

In our family a popular eat out is "two for one burger special"
White bread, deep fried onion rings and chips (all so not great for a healthy eating plan)
My tip (it's what I do whenever we do go):
Hubby and I order the rib burger (it's a double patty) and replace my onion rings and chips with the veg of the evening.
I donate me bun to hubby and have yummy flame grilled delicious ribs with pumpkin and creamed spinach (I generally struggle to finish the portions).

Small changes, make a big difference!

I had a discussion just this morning about the coffee, fizzy drinks and how much water is enough debate.
I simply cannot get through a day without coffee, I also cannot have it after 3pm, unless I'm planning on staying up very late. I have about 3 (ok maybe 4) cups, between 6am and 2pm. Not ideal, but right now it's very last on my list of things to address....

Besides, the small changes in our eating habits. Carving out time to be active can be hard, there is always dishes to do, clothes to mend, washing, work projects!
Finding that thing that goes, "that's for me" takes time in itself. But once you have found it, finding the time for it becomes easy!

Obviously mine is dance - I love how I feel, when I'm moving around to music!
I've tried, running, walking, gardening, gym, yoga, Pilates and I eventually found an excuse for each of these activities. I have nothing against them, and I love to walk and do yoga, but not enough to get me out to do the activity on a regular enough basis!

Another option, is to grab a friend and try things together. But keep in mind, that you might mind find your thing before they find theirs...