Diet and Fitness: This above all, to thine own self be true

With so much hype and advertising surrounding our diet and exercise goals, so many schemes and gimmicks and plans and trackers and special equipment and supplements and even new exercise clothes, it isn't really that hard, initially, to become motivated to lose weight.

After all, we know we need to lose weight.  We know we will feel better, look better, be healthier.  It is the right thing to do.  So off we go, launched in the right direction.  Diet: check.  New fitness plan: check.  A couple of gadgets, some new exercise clothes, a biggest loser challenge...

Then we get 4 or 5 days into it.  If that far.  And we may find ourselves running out of steam.  Here are 3 common reasons the wind may have gone out of your weight loss and fitness sails, and what to do about them:

1. You may actually be over-doing it.  It is common to jump in with gusto, setting unrealistic and unsustainable goals.  You'll find yourself truly too hungry, with cravings and the inevitable over-eating that ensues. Over-doing in the exercise department may mean not getting very far, as frustration and injuries slow you down.  Use a website like SparkPeople.com or Fitday.com to help you set obtainable goals that will help you do what we all know we must: Make healthy, long-term lifestyle changes.
2. Have you truly been honest with yourself and others?  This touches on several factors.  Whether its being honest with yourself about your weight, or about your calorie counts, or being honest with yourself in how you talk (or don't talk) to others about your diet or exercise routine, etc., how comfortable you are with admitting to yourself and others your weight, diet and fitness successes and failures will often determine your success.  Being comfortable with admitting failures indicates that you have 'come to terms' with where you are at and you will be more likely to work toward changes. Don't fudge the numbers, and don't allow yourself to cut the corners and call it a full mile.  This above all...to thine own self be true, and you'll find the strength within to accomplish the goals that are truly important to you.
3. Are you still doing what you did at first?  In all the excitement at the beginning, you were focusing on your plans, reading fitness tips and low-cal recipes, joining in with a group for support, going to the gym, or making sure you got your chosen exercises in each day.  You were also adding lots of new and exciting elements to your plans.  Don't stop doing those things.  Keep up your momentum by having more than one (very important: more than one) accountability partner.  Get in touch with at least two accountability partners each day to share successes and failures.  And make it a point to bring at least one exciting new tidbit with you, when you chat with your partners.  For instance, a new article about fitness, a recipe you have modified for low-cal or low-fat, a new helpful website link, or a new reward you've thought up for a week-well-done.  Make a point of keeping things interesting and exciting.

By refining your fitness goals for the long-haul, being completely honest with yourself and others, and keeping things fresh with accountability partners, you'll find yourself more likely to stay on track, and sometimes even more importantly, more likely to get back on track, to a new and healthier you.