Find something you can realistically stick with.
If you HATE the spin cycle class you're going to at the gym, how likely do you think you'll be to actually stick with it long term? Finding something that is not only challenging, but also something you genuinely enjoy doing will increase the likelihood of you keeping up with it. Finding something active that you have fun doing, that makes you feel your best is key for long term sustainability. For me, that's lifting weights 4-5 times a week and doing some light walking throughout my day.
Be patient. No matter what route you decide to take to reach your fitness goals, patience is going to be the number one piece of the puzzle you must practice. It is so much easier said than done, because for most of us, we wanted results like yesterday! I get it. But remember, you didn't get to where you are now overnight. If you want to reach your goals and maintain those results, you must be patient and trusting of the process. If you put the work in, I promise the results will follow.
Find an accountability partner or group.
If you're lucky enough to have an amazing support system at home who are uplifting and motivating, that's incredible!! But having a group of women who are on the same path as you, with similar goals in mind, standing next to you throughout your journey is so important! I'm not saying men have it easy but in a lot of respects, they do have it easier ;) It's so encouraging and empowering to share each other struggles, share our victories and be there for one another to help keep each other on track and accountable. You'll find a group of amazing females like this in my coaching group in my Forever Fit Formula program.
Stop looking for shortcuts.
Regardless of your fitness goals, getting to you your end goal will likely take time, practice, patience and more importantly consistency. Sure you could likely lose weight by severely restricting your calories in order to accelerate your weight loss. You can do a couple hours of cardio a day to burn those extra calories. You could take a number of unrealistic (sometimes even expensive) shortcuts to reach your goals faster. Sure, those types of shortcuts usually give you quick results, but I promise you they'll also lead towards weight regain even quicker. Take a more moderate approach and give yourself some time and grace.
Trust the process. Expect failure at some point in your fitness journey. You'll have ups and downs, highs and lows and moments where you feel like giving up. You'll probably make mistakes and wonder why more progress hasn't been made when you've been working so hard. Weight loss is not a linear process. Staying consistent over a long period of time, and trusting the process will be critical for reaching and maintaining your fitness goals.
If this resonates with you, let me know! I'd love to connect on social media! And remember, you got this girl! Don't give up! XO