Start it off right!

I know that January 1^st was actually a few days ago, but many people waited until today to truly give it their all in a new start.

So how are you faring? Did you happily get up this morning all motivated to start your new life? Or did you glare at the alarm clock when it went off?

Whether you are brand new to this journey, whether you’ve had some success and have been off track for a while like me, or whether you simply had some “bumps in the road” over the holidays, getting back on track is never easy.

After some mild weather so far this winter here, we woke up to temperatures of  -5 degrees. Ok, that certainly doesn’t help the motivation!! Fortunately, this super cold snap is expected to be short lived. But when all you want to do is curl up in flannel PJ’s and drink hot chocolate and eat carbs? UG!!

So no matter how you felt today, here’s some of the challenges we have to look forward to in the near future: Intense cravings for sugar. Eating something off plan and feeling guilty. Missing a workout. Feeling tired and irritable. Getting the “fuck its”.

All of these things are NORMAL when coming off of processed foods and/or making a lifestyle change.

But if you keep at it, things WILL get better. The cravings for processed sugar and other foods begins to go away. You’ll find that your energy will increase as you begin to incorporate more fruits and vegetables. Your body will thrive on multi grains and complex carbohydrates and lean proteins and healthy fats!

As you start to do some exercise - even something as simple as walking - you’ll start to sleep better and you’ll be less irritable.

And when the scale begins to drop? That’s major motivation!!

Are you looking forward to a shopping trip and buying smaller clothes? Do you want to run a 5K this year? Going on vacation and wearing a bikini? Getting off your high blood pressure meds?  Whatever the reasons for change, keep your eye on the prize!

Make sure you are patient with yourself. Again, it’s about progress, not perfection. We are all going to make mistakes, to make poor choices. But it WILL get easier. For me, it has never gotten EASY, but it has gotten much easier.

Today? It is the first day in the rest of your life!! 2016 is going to be a great year - I just know it :)