3 Tips To Steer Away From Seasonal Pitfalls

Here in Detroit Lakes my family and I have been enjoying the brilliant red, orange and yellow orange foliage. We are noticing the cooler temperatures and therefore ready to change with the season. However, I have noticed with myself and others, this time of year can bring some challenges if you’re not sure what or how to change with the season in regards to your eating and exercise program.

The fresh fruits and veggies are just not what they were earlier this summer; it’s dark earlier in the evening and that may be digging into your outdoor exercise time. It’s definitely cooler and perhaps you’re just not sure if you want to exercise outside anymore, or how you are going to adjust.

You have made all this progress, and since change is inevitable, the question is, “How do I change with the seasons too?”

Here are my Top 3 Seasonal Changes that keep the momentum and success you have been achieving all summer long:

1. Don’t fall for your excuses! That is all they are; legitimate or not, the reasons you may choose not to exercise are logical excuses that make sense to you. The thing to remember is: Every excuse has an ounce of truth! That is what makes it so easy to self-sabotage if we don’t recognize our excuses and become WILLING to move beyond them.

So, if your excuse is that it’s getting too cold to exercise, then it is your job to wear warmer clothes or exercise indoors. I hear you saying, “But Amy, I don’t like to exercise indoors!” Well, neither do I, but I sure like my body, energy, and joy far more than I like the alternatives.

So what are you willing to do? (Take some time and think about this!)

You need to find your reasons to exercise beyond losing weight, looking good, being thinner, and wearing size X clothes, or the excuses will come far too easily and sidetrack you back into your old patterns.

2. Adjust with the changes. Develop your back-up plan for if it’s raining, snowing, too windy. What are you going to do instead? Have a favorite video to work out to, go to the gym, grab your Kettlebell, fitness ball, bosu, weights - and do that workout! Go to the web and search videos clips for ideas; there are tons…my favorite is Scott Colby and Valerie Waters.

Allow yourself some time to adjust to the changes you need to make, and let your commitment really sink in. Just because things haven’t worked as perfectly as you might have hoped, doesn’t mean they won’t in the long run. Give yourself time and tweak as you go and before you know it, you’ll be loving it!

3. Just because the fresh fruits and veggies may not be quite as fresh as they were in the summertime, doesn’t mean you’re out of luck. Use this opportunity to try new foods. Let your taste buds flow with the seasons. Right now the squashes, zucchinis, tomatoes, etc. are ripe and plentiful. Look up new recipes, and add them to your meals. As the winter approaches, look into alternatives and keep as close to nutrient-rich foods as possible.

See if you can go one day or more without eating processed foods. Try new ideas and take notice how your body and mind responds to less sugar, artificial flavors, enriched flours, etc. I guarantee you will notice a positive difference! This means fewer colds, runny noses, and coughs…now who doesn’t like that idea?! http://short.to/mn80

When the bumps come along, it’s easy to see how simple it is to fall out of sync with what you’ve been doing. Make this fall and winter different for yourself; flow with the seasons rather than push against them. Adjust your physical activity if needed, and change your mindset to conquer the inner chatter that holds you back. Allow your spirit to guide you through the rough spots. No matter how you want to look at weight loss and becoming a healthier you…it IS a body-mind-spirit approach that sets you up for all-encompassing success, rather than just what the scale says.

If you’ve ever had a hard time making long term changes in your behaviors, if you’ve ever gone on a diet only to fall right back into your old patterns in just months or weeks, if you’ve ever had difficulty breaking bad habits - find a coach…it makes all the difference in the world!

If you know in your heart that you need one-on-one support, call 218-237-2310 to set up a complimentary appointment, or visit my website.

To your health and joy,
Amy

Amy Lundberg
www.aimforfitness.com
218-846-1525
Your lifestyle fitness coach, teaching the “inner tools” of transforming emotionally, mentally and spiritually to achieve life-changing results. Inspiring joy and peace within!