Are your New Years’ resolutions already history? Don’t panic.
Fitness queen Michelle Bridges tells New Idea that the secret to weight loss and fitness is to make changes after the holiday period is over.
Here, Michelle shares her 5 top tips for making lifestyle changes that will stick.
- Find your WHY!
Think about who you want to become this year – and why! Visualise what the best version of yourself looks and feels like. Remember, it’s about who you want to become, not what someone else expects you to be. Relying too heavily on expectations is a recipe for disaster.
Make sure your goal is a positive one. To set a goal with a negative connotation to it is like asking the universe for that exact thing to happen! Turn your negative into excitement and instead of saying “I hate this 20 kilos of extra weight”, try, “I’m going to look even better when I wear my new dress to show off my hard work and I’m excited!”
- Set SMART goals
What is SMART, I hear you ask? It means your goals are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-based.
For example, how much weight do you want to lose and by when? That last point is crucial: setting a timeframe around your goal means you’re more likely to stick to it. Also, have regular checkpoints, so you can kick your own booty if you’re not meeting your targets!
- Plan, plan, PLAN when it comes to food!
I always say that to seize back control of your life, first take control of your kitchen.
Start by cleaning out the pantry, fridge and freezer. Be ruthless – toss out anything out of date or overly processed and restock with plenty of healthy foods that you know you will actually eat. At the end of a busy day no one likes a last-minute dash to the supermarket, so make time each week to plan out your meals.
Replace soft drinks, cordials and juices with water. Have an emergency food drawer at work or home with tinned tuna, four bean mix, popping corn, corn/rice thins so you are never caught short and turning to unhealthy snacks.
- Schedule those workouts – and do them!
Add your workout sessions into your diary and stick to them. It’s no good promising to get to the gym, then making excuses as to why you can’t go. If it’s a time thing, get up an hour early to workout, or take 30 minutes before lunch for an express workout.
Aim for 20 to 30 minutes, six days a week. If you’re after maximum results in less time, focus on a mix of cardio and strength training, which has been proven to boost your metabolism.
- Take time to reassess and work on your mindset
I believe that if you change your mindset, your body will follow.
Regularly re-visit your motivation – your WHY. Has it changed? Are you still aiming for the same outcome, or have you changed your ‘why’ during the journey? It’s important to hold yourself accountable, but also be open to new ways of thinking.
Printing out your goal and sticking it on your fridge is a great way of reminding yourself on a day-today basis.
Lastly, remember to say one positive thing to yourself every day. It could be as simple as “I really like these shoes today” or “I handled that meeting so well!” Positive affirmations have been proven to help foster long-term happiness.
The next round of Michelle Bridges 12 Week Body Transformation commences on 6th February
