by Susan Yee

Created on: September 27, 2007

Before jumping off the couch and saying "I'm gonna lose 20 pounds by the end of the year!", you have to know some key facts about getting fit. Getting a healthy lifestyle isn't as easy as turning on the lights. Guiding yourself toward a healthier lifestyle is a physical and mental challenge. Not only do you have a better body but you also learn how to abstain from bad choices and how to control yourself. These changes will follow you and have a positive affect on your life.

When you start your diet, try these strategies. #1-Make a list of your recent achievements (such as "i got an A+" or "I saved a kitty") and then make a list of your goals to obtain a healthier body. Place both lists next to each, on somewhere you would see this everyday. This way, you'll know that you've succeeded before and that you can overcome another obstacle. #2- Change your habitual diet. Write down each meal you have eaten during the week and eliminate the bad choices and replace them with healthier choices and put this list on your refrigerator. Make sure you eat three meals everyday at the same time for each meal. Try to limit your portions if you know that you overeat. #3 Look up healthy recipes online or in cookbooks and make sure you watch out for the large amounts of fats. Then try cooking at least three times a week at home. You'll feel proud that you are helping yourself with a positive meal and that you were the one who cooked it.

Exercising is a very important factor to a lifestyle change. Explore new experiences you have thought about trying out. I recommend that you try yoga. It's very relaxing and soothing and alleviates cramps. Bring a friend with you. Some exercises require partners and it will be more fun when you can socialize while you are stretching. Also, make sure to bring a water bottle just in case you get dehydrated.

There are some myths of dieting that you should not be deceived by. One myth is that most people believe that a minimal amount of exercise a day in an irregular schedule can help obtain a fit body. This is absolutely not true! You should exercise at the same time each day for at least thirty minutes. Another belief is that special "treats" won't hurt. The occasional "Hmm...just one latte won't hurt me" is unacceptable. By doing this, you would break a promise to yourself and this would become a bad habit during your goal period.

Learn to love your body and your body will love you back. Don't be angered if you don't immediate results. It takes time for you to start seeing changes. The results are great. You'll feel better about yourself and feel happier and more lively.

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