It probably comes as no surprise to hear that, on average, most people who set New Year Resolutions to lose weight and get fit after indulging in too many treats over the Christmas and holiday period end up giving up on their goals within weeks. Some people give up after just a few days of eating more healthily or a workout or two.

And with the added pressure that the short, dark and cold nights bring to our mental health, as well as being broke after the December spending spree, all you want to do is reach for the leftover Christmas choccy and veg out under the duvet with your phone and Netflix, leaving your dreams of getting fit again fading rapidly into the distance.

But this is the last thing you should do, because it will result in you beating yourself up about it, which will only feed into the downward spiral of giving up on your fitness goals, even if you tell yourself you’ll get around to it when spring arrives.

If you want things to change, then you have to take steps to change it. And you’re only fooling yourself if you think that putting it off ‘until you’re ready’ will make it happen. Because our subconscious minds are never ‘ready’ for change.

So, in order to take real action on your fitness and weight loss goals, there are a three simple steps you can take to make sure that you will be successful — and ready for a new wardrobe for spring.

• Make your goals realistic — You can’t expect to lose 2st in a week. It may be possible if you choose a faddy diet, but doing so would be detrimental to your health, and by this time next year, you will probably have gained it all back — and more! When you have a realistic plan laid out, just like I give my clients, taking into account their current lifestyle, fitness level, and any health issues they may have, it makes it much easier to drop a dress size (or three) in a healthier way that will give you the energy to keep it off for good.
• Keep a journal to track your progress — When you take notes on the way you’re feeling each day and what you’re grateful for, this practice can help with your mental health and mindfulness as you progress on your journey. A healthy body also includes a healthy mind, because fitness is a lot more than just losing weight. Your journal can also include ‘before’ pictures, as well as photos taken every 3-4 weeks, which can encourage you when you see how much progress you’ve been making. Doing this will also make it much easier for you to stick to your plan.
• Talk about it — Do you have a trusted and loving family member or friend who you feel safe sharing your goals with? Having support and encouragement from someone you love and trust while you go through this process will go a long way to helping you achieve your fitness and health goals, especially whenever you have a bad day. When someone loves you unconditionally as you go through a big change in your life, it will help you to love yourself unconditionally during the process.

Keep Your Chin Up

It should be noted that making big changes to your life on these cold, dark and short days isn’t easy when you’d rather hang out in your Primark onesie. Therefore, it’s possible that you may need a boost to keep your chin up, so that you can put one foot in front of the other and take that first step.

The reduced levels of sunlight during the winter months are known to have an effect on the serotonin levels in our bodies. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter and hormone that carries signals from the brain to our nerve cells.

Also known as the happy hormone, the decrease in serotonin that we experience during the winter months can cause an increase in mental health issues like depression, anxiety and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), as well as sleep disorders and other health problems like added weight gain.

However, 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), which is an amino acid produced naturally in the body, can help to counteract these issues. 5-HTP can even help you to lose weight by suppressing your appetite, because it inhibits the intake of carbohydrates, which cause your blood sugar to rise and makes you crave more sugary foods (and wine). This wonder chemical can also help you to balance mood swings, get better sleep, and reduce symptoms of muscle pain, headaches, fatigue and fibromyalgia.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON 5-HTP

Before you take 5-HTP though, you should be aware that there are certain medications that will increase serotonin levels, such as antidepressants, cough medicines and prescription painkillers. Therefore, if you are on medication, you should consult with your GP before deciding to take 5-HTP.

I hope you’ve found these tips encouraging and that you’ll use them to help you take the first step to a successful and healthier you in 2023. You deserve it!

Love,
Gaynor x