I hope everyone is enjoying this process! Even if the scale isn't cooperating as much as you'd like it to, I'll bet we've all made some progress. Choosing water over soda, taking the stairs or parking farther away from the grocery store entrance, ordering a vegetable instead of fries on the side at a restaurant...that's all progress! One of my mini-victories is going for a bowl of greek yogurt and fresh fruit with cinnammon instead of running for DQ. Hey, it counts!
Consistantly making good choices for your health throughout the day is $#*%@ TOUGH. Birthday parties, donuts at work, crunched schedules, and family members that just don't "get it" are part of life!
Building that network of like-minded folks that know the struggle is real is KEY! Here's a few bricks from the foundation of my support network that add layers of accountability to staying on track:
*Fitbit - Ok, so I might be a Fitbit addict, but I'm alright with this kind of addiction! I added my sis, a few FB friends, and some GREAT people from this DB. We've had challenges going non-stop for the last couple of weeks and it's serious motivation to get a few more steps in for a personal best or to win a challenge! Instead of sitting on the couch, I'll get up and march around the living room just to see the numbers move, all while cheering each other on. #Winning!
*FB Groups - Find 'em. Join 'em. I've seen a few people post links to some groups here, and I started one during this DB challenge for clean eating during that's been great. Everyone's in the same boat, and has something to contribute. I'm mid-Beachbody Ultimate Reset, and joined the FB group for each phase of UR. It's pretty intense, but totally worth it. These groups are a great reminder that you're not alone, and someone probably has the same questions that you do!
*Friends - Accountabilibuddy style! Personal, daily, positive support. YES. I finally opened up about some of the better choices I was making (DB, Beachbody, Fitbit, My Fitness Pal, more vegetarian and vegan foods), and found out some of my friends are making their health a priority too. My guy joined MFP too, and we cheer each other on every day and actually talk about our nutrition for the day. Some people just don't get it; "Vegan?!? Where's the beef?!?" "Sarah, what the heck are you marching in place for?" "Wait, you don't want to go out this weekend for 1000 empty calories worth of tipsy fun?!?" If you don't think you have someone that you can buddy up with, YOU DO. You're here, in the DB forum, with all of us! Reach out to a fellow DB'er; send me a message if you like!
It's your health. OWN IT! :)