(I own no rights to this beachbody photo)
This is the workout that I do. AMAZING!
I love this quote!
You keep hearing that phrase, "It takes 21 days to make or break a habit." That would be GREAT if only it were true. Starting a healthy diet and life style is one of the hardest things to do. Especially when it's the Endo Diet and it seems like they take everything you love away from your plate and kitchen. (Can you sense my frustration. lol!)
Sometimes it's such a hard decision. Unless your life depends on it.
Which it almost always does, if you think about it. . . .
A new study found that it actually takes 66 days, on average, for a new healthy habit to feel automatic to someone. That means if your "New Years resolution" was to start jogging every morning or add some fruit to your lunch every day, you wouldn't mindlessly do these things by Jan. 21st but more around March 8th. It's SO easy to lose your motivation and go back to your normal ways when you don't feel a change or see physical changes within a week. Patience is a big factor when changing your life style. Some of us were born with a ton of it and others were born with barely enough patience to fill a thistle. A great support system is also very important because you will need those accountability partners to help you push forward and keep with the program. Here is a list of things that help you stick to your Diet plan and healthier life style.
1) Find and stick with a reliable Support Group
Preferably with one that is filled with people going through the same thing you're trying to accomplish and have the same belief system. It is much easier to stick with something when you have people going through the same thing and feeling the same way you are and believe in what you believe in. It prevents a lot of drama if you do it that way. We all have those "bad influence" people in our friends or even in our family that try to turn you off of your new diet. They'll say, "This ONE meal wont kill your diet, " or , "You look fine. I don't even know why you're doing this." Is is crucial that you surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Make them understand that you NEED this and would appreciate their support. I believe, COMPLETELY, in the power of prayer. If you do, too, then pray pray PRAY! Have others pray for you and with you.
This is the support group I'm in on Facebook. :-)
2) Don't Jump in all at once
It's like seeing a pool and jumping in just to realize it's too cold and getting out immediately. You've got to EASE yourself into it. If you cut out everything bad, cold turkey, your are MUCH MUCH more likely to cheat or give up all together. Try adding the healthier options or phasing out the bad, little by little. Limit how many sweets you eat per a week and add how many veggies or fruits you eat per week. I found that swapping one for another worked GREAT for me. For example; I stopped drinking soda and started drinking herbal teas. I took out all processed and artificial sugars and used raw honey. I switched from normal bread to gluten, dairy, egg, and soy free bread. I would make these changes every couple of weeks. The hardest was the bread, but now I love it.
3) You, and only YOU, are in charge of what you do
That doesn't mean you can't ask for help. But YOU have to make the decision and ask instead of waiting for someone to offer to help. Only YOU have the power to stick with your diet and make a healthier life style. Nobody can do it for you. If you say that you deserve a "cheat day" and end up in pain or gaining a couple pounds then hating yourself for it, that was your decision. The great thing is that you don't have to feel that way because YOU CAN control that urge to cheat. Especially if you have that support group to cheer you on. You own the power to change your life for the better!
4) Be accountable to yourself
It can be SO hard to stick with a diet when there are so many yummy things taunting you and looking so good. Make them less desirable. If you happen to eat something you weren't suppose to tell someone in your support group. If you vocalize it, it makes it real. It tells your mind that you're not fooling yourself by making excuses and that you know you did wrong. Try making consequences for each time you happen to cheat. Make yourself fold laundry or do dishes without using the dishwasher. If those don't do it for you, make harder chores that you don't enjoy. That way you'll start to relate those chores with the bad foods you ate and you won't crave them as much.
BAHAHA! If only training ourselves was this easy.
I guess we could give ourselves these options. LOL!!
5) Don't have pity parties for going astray
The longer you feel bad for "cheating" the longer it'll take to get back on track and it will make your brain crave "comfort food." It can also cause depression which makes it even easier to cheat because who doesn't want Ben & Jerry's when they are sad?! Realize you messed up, move on, and get back on track. Find your motivation, again, and keep moving forward.
6) Make sure you set goals for you diet
Whether it's fitting into a smaller size or having a pain free life, setting a goal is another crucial strategy in keeping with your diet. If you have a goal to work towards then it'll be easier to make small changes to get there. It also helps to imagine and visualize what you'll look and feel like once you meet your goal. What would you be able to do that you can't do now and what would you be able to wear what you can wear now? Imagine how great you'll look and feel and all the things you'll get to do!
7) Stop lying to yourself and making excuses
I read in a different article, "If you knew you were going to get paid $50,000 after one day of sticking to your diet 100%, would you?" Um, is that a real question? DUH! So why not stick to it anyways when you KNOW that you'll look and feel SOOOOO much better once you've hit your goal?! It's a not brainer! Stop making excuses and stick to it. Excuses only slow you down.
8) Know that this is for your own health and keeping a promise to yourself
It's not just about sticking to a diet. It's about being the healthiest you've ever been and being at the top of your game. It's about keeping your promises and not letting yourself down emotionally or physically. How will our own children, or friends and family, look at us if they see us lying to ourselves all the time and not holding true to our promise of a healthier life style. If we want to be a good example to others, we first have to be a good example to ourselves.
It really is worth it in the end, y'all.
A life without pain is very very worth the changes!!
Everyone could do with a healthy lifestyle. We owe it to our families, our friends, but most of all, to ourselves to be healthy and active. If you have ANY questions about diet advice, which support groups to join, or anything else endo related, just ask. There are SO many support groups online now, thanks to social media. There is a support group I am a part of for people specifically going on the Endometriosis Diet called "Endo Diet Warriors." It's a great group full of great women.I hope y'all have a blessed day and have success with your new diets and lifestyle changes. Stay safe, stay strong, and God Bless!~Ashley
