Recently RHWAD launched a ladies group that meets every other week to discuss health, fitness and weight loss goals. We have set up a private group online so that the ladies can support each other along the way to achieve these goals. Life is much more fun when you are around ladies with common goals. And let’s face it – as Housewives we are the ones who do all the food shopping and meal preparation. If we are leading healthy lifestyles, no doubt our family will too.
I have decided to start these posts to summarise what we talk about. Please keep in mind that everything below is from our group discussions. We have all tried various methods and are hoping to share what works for each of us.
You need to start your day with positive thoughts. Cliché? Perhaps, but it does help. The first step in any sort of lifestyle change is that you need to work from within. So you may not have the bodyshape you want now– Fine. You can get there. It’s not going to be easy but it is possible (another cliche…I know).
Easiest way to track progress. Take a look at the questions below and write down your answers. It only takes a few moments.
- What is your motivation for being healthy?
- What are your goals? Our resident fitness guru, Red, gave us some helpful tips when setting goals. She recommends using S.M.A.R.T. (which is an effective way to achieve any sort of goals and objectives).
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time Bound
- What are the consequences if you do not meet your goals?
- What is your visual goal?
- What is your motivation?
Tracking what you eat by writing it down. Many articles that I have read always recommend doing this. I have done once and even then only for about two days. What I learned from it was all the things that I did eat that I wasn’t accounting for. Whether it was taste testing what I was cooking, finishing off what the kids left behind. A journal will give you a visual list of what you eat during the day. This sort of thing works well for some. Give it a try to see if it works for you.
You need to incorporate some sort of physical activity into your life, however, don’t force yourself to do something that you don’t like. For example, if running is not your thing, don’t head out on the pavement in an effort to meet your goals. If you don’t enjoy it, you will only associate those negative feelings with trying to meet your goals. You only set yourself up for failure and this will not be a positive experience.
Whether you like tennis, running, yoga, or walking – find a buddy to do it with. This will make you more likely to get out and do something when you have someone else that you are meeting up with.
Start with small changes. A massive overhaul all at once could be great for the first few days (even a few weeks depending on the strength of your willpower) but so many of us have experienced it resulting in massive relapse. Returning to the same poor eating habits.
Discussed was making the change from regular olive oil to coconut oil. You can read about several benefits of Coconut Oil here from the lovely Tina Raluca from RawWithBenefits.
- Don’t Starve Yourself !!!
- Eat 3 times a day carbs/protein.
- 8 glasses of water. HYDRATE!
Looking forward to seeing all the Healthy Housewives at the next meet up where we will discuss changes that have been made in lifestyle over the last few weeks, barriers you have faced, and how to food shop more efficiently.
