So, we all have good intentions. We set plans, we embark on new journeys and ventures, and we have goals that we aim to reach (and do reach!). But things don't always go according to our plan. We can't be 'on point' and 'winning' 100% of the time. Why? We're human and infallible and that is WAY OK... If you're eating healthily and keeping active MOST of the time, then the occasional debaucherous weekend or extra few drinks or eating something less that favourable (or at least that won't help your goal or running training) is not going to hurt in the long-run. It's all about balance and keeping things in perspective, and not being hard on yourself or beating yourself up over unplanned events or deviations from your ideal healthy eating plan. I am all about not being too strict or extreme, and really, we are here to experience life and enjoy ourselves too: so, why deprive yourself of new experiences, new foods etc... If you feel like it's not in keeping with your overall goal, and you dislike that sketchy hungover feeling the next day, then that's fine - just get back on track as soon as possible: you won't have ruined all your hard work and healthy lifestyle by one or two days off. Just aim to not make it a regular occurrence, or then it really will become the norm. We are creatures of habit after all.
You've heard the sayings: 'first you make the habit, then the habit makes you', 'practise makes perfect', and 'you are what you eat'?? All so appropriate here. What we do on a regular basis and what we choose to eat and drink, all form who we are, both inside and out. The more you practise something, or the more you exercise that particular neural pathway, the stronger the habit becomes. Eventually the brain will automate it as much as it can as this helps it to save energy for other tasks, and this is why habits are so hard to break - you can never actually get rid of any habit/neural pathway, but you can either tweak an existing one (and replace a potentially unhealthy current reward with a healthier option, thus keeping the habit loop a current one) or can build new habits/neural pathways and repeat them again and again until they become the new norm and favoured habits of the brain, eventually automating these new healthy ones too. It sounds boring, but achieving health and fitness basically comes down to repeating the same thing over and over, to get your results. The occasional slip-up or less healthy food/drink/weekend can be an anomaly but shouldn't be the norm, but nor should you throw in the towel and think it has to be all over just because of it.
This is why it's so important to have support and motivation when you've got a particular goal or aim in mind, and it's another reason I'm so excited to launch my challenge in 2 days' time! I will be both hosting the challenge and participating in it - nothing like a 30 day challenge to get back on track, and I am keen to have a bit of a health overhaul so that these party weekends don't become the norm for me (as they are on the verge of becoming - side effect of new friends in a new city and country I suppose). So, come June 1st, I will be well and truly jumping in with the other participants - not going to be extreme or deny anything, and will still be drinking the occasional beer or G&T, but I will be a lot more focused, and will plan my drinks beforehand if I am aiming to go out, amongst other things.... If you too want to join us, here's the link: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_jump_into_june_challenge.html
Aand, the running part yes? Can't leave that out, lol... Not much to report I'm afraid! Just the usual few 12km runs and a longer 24km run on Saturday, along with interval and strength training and the usual cycling around. I am aiming for some speed training this week with a local running group, fingers crossed anyway, so watch this space.
And speaking of you being what you eat - sign up here to get some ideas for healthy snacks for runners: http://lousweight.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a79193a9250d21160624d6f9&id=3c7b2ebad9
You've heard the sayings: 'first you make the habit, then the habit makes you', 'practise makes perfect', and 'you are what you eat'?? All so appropriate here. What we do on a regular basis and what we choose to eat and drink, all form who we are, both inside and out. The more you practise something, or the more you exercise that particular neural pathway, the stronger the habit becomes. Eventually the brain will automate it as much as it can as this helps it to save energy for other tasks, and this is why habits are so hard to break - you can never actually get rid of any habit/neural pathway, but you can either tweak an existing one (and replace a potentially unhealthy current reward with a healthier option, thus keeping the habit loop a current one) or can build new habits/neural pathways and repeat them again and again until they become the new norm and favoured habits of the brain, eventually automating these new healthy ones too. It sounds boring, but achieving health and fitness basically comes down to repeating the same thing over and over, to get your results. The occasional slip-up or less healthy food/drink/weekend can be an anomaly but shouldn't be the norm, but nor should you throw in the towel and think it has to be all over just because of it.
This is why it's so important to have support and motivation when you've got a particular goal or aim in mind, and it's another reason I'm so excited to launch my challenge in 2 days' time! I will be both hosting the challenge and participating in it - nothing like a 30 day challenge to get back on track, and I am keen to have a bit of a health overhaul so that these party weekends don't become the norm for me (as they are on the verge of becoming - side effect of new friends in a new city and country I suppose). So, come June 1st, I will be well and truly jumping in with the other participants - not going to be extreme or deny anything, and will still be drinking the occasional beer or G&T, but I will be a lot more focused, and will plan my drinks beforehand if I am aiming to go out, amongst other things.... If you too want to join us, here's the link: http://lousweight.com.au/main/page_jump_into_june_challenge.html
Aand, the running part yes? Can't leave that out, lol... Not much to report I'm afraid! Just the usual few 12km runs and a longer 24km run on Saturday, along with interval and strength training and the usual cycling around. I am aiming for some speed training this week with a local running group, fingers crossed anyway, so watch this space.
And speaking of you being what you eat - sign up here to get some ideas for healthy snacks for runners: http://lousweight.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=0a79193a9250d21160624d6f9&id=3c7b2ebad9
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