Weight Loss Success Starts From Within
Today I am proud to introduce to our readers our newest guest blogger. Even though we are a Men’s blog, we occasionally are graced with viewpoints and in this case great fitness information from the opposite sex. Let’s face it guys, if it were not for women, 99.9% of us would lead very boring lives, not to mention tons of messy apartments. Not that I am inferring, in the least, we expect women to clean up after us. We just would not have the need to straighten up our places if our guy friends were to come over to watch the game or we lived alone.
OK , with that out of the way, today’s guest post is penned by Yvonne Bridges, the owner of “The Fitness Diva” and a person who has accomplished a lot already in her young life. Besides being an expert fitness instructor, Yvonne is a Boxing Champ, a top trainer, entrepreneur, a published author and most importantly a self proclaimed DIVA. All great survival traits for someone who resides in the Big Apple.
Weight Loss Success Starts From Within
I, first of all, would like to thank MOB for asking me to guest post over here.
Deciding what to post as a fitness blogger is always a challenge, as I try to bring a fresh or at least unique perspective to the table when it comes to not only fitness and weight loss writing, but to the lifestyle itself.
I’m an action girl, and therefore, for me, staying fit and in shape is pretty easy. It’s second nature to me to get out and move around til I can’t move any more. I also know that if I’m too fat, I can’t roller blade, snowboard, or hell, even just teach my classes as well as I usually do when the extra pounds are on. And the absolute deal breaker is, I then have to gravitate towards the larger sizes in my closet, which always sucks! I really prefer to wear the cute, sexy tiny sized clothing, okay?
Not being one who is into denying oneself all of the good stuff, I still bake cookies and drink Coca Cola (yeah, I know, it burns the paint off of cars – sue me!) every so often, and me and Haagen Dazs are still pretty good friends after all these years. But you know what? I have my mind set in a way that insures that there is a balance in the midst of all of these things. And that, my friends, is why I am able to stay slim.
As a trainer and fitness instructor out in the trenches shaping bodies daily, I can tell you that the first step to getting fit really is all in how you set your mind.
Here’s the deal: You can buy every Wii game they come up with, have Jillian Michaels train you morning, noon and night, and do every cleanse or fad diet they come up with, and promise to never eat another carb EVER, yet in the end, you are going to gain all that weight back if the desire to be fit and stay that way isn’t ingrained deeply into your mind and heart.
Now, I know that I’m no psychologist, but I have found in my years of training people and helping them to lose weight that these few little things I’m about to tell you will make any program you decide to embark upon more effective in the long term. I’m not about quick fixes. Let’s fix it FOR GOOD, I always say!
First step to keeping the weight off for good:
How do you see yourself in your own perfect world? I’m talking about the person that you wish and hope to be. What does that body and person look like? What does your life look like with this body and the unlimited energy that comes with it? What’s going on in that picture? Hopefully you see yourself looking great, feeling great, not having to diet, and being physically active and enjoying life to the fullest. Get a clear picture of this person that you’re hoping to physically be, and all that you hope to have going on in your life when this comes to pass.
Need help with the visualization? Find a pic in a mag or online somewhere that closest matches your own goal and paste it on your fridge. Years ago, I had a picture of Gladys Portugues’ abs that I’d cut out of Muscle and Fitness magazine. I taped that thing on my fridge, and I swear, it really did help to keep me motivated. I wanted to measure up to that standard and beyond, and eventually I did. Visualization works. So, in conclusion, find something that can keep you motivated, and use it.
Second step:
Set a plan. This does involve the workouts, how you’re going to change your eating habits, etc. Get a good one that you can stick with and that doesn’t feel like torture so you’ll stick to it. Pick a plan that fits in with your lifestyle and that is not a chore to do or difficult to stick to. Then, you won’t have a problem just doing it.
Third step:
Positive reinforcement. Here is where mind over matter really is going to come in. There are going to be days when you don’t want to stick to the plan at all. That’s normal. But you can’t just let yourself fall off. So, there need to be these little reinforcements that you have already set in place to keep you on your path. I used to use positive affirmations back when I was a competitive boxer and kick boxer, and I swear, they helped me win titles. Little encouraging words and phrases I’d put in a little notebook to keep me positive and believing in myself.
But positive reinforcement can come in many forms: a weight loss journal, a weight loss support group, cultivating friends that live the healthier lifestyle, having a weight loss coach or just having someone in your corner that supports you and will help to give you some encouragement and a little tough love when you need it. And yes, a picture of what what you plan to be on the fridge or on your bedroom mirror, if that is what does it for you.
Just remember that being fit and healthy is just as much about your mindset as it is about what you’re eating or how many calories you burn a day. A strong mindset is what will keep you on your path to achieving anything you want to. You’ve got to get that going for yourself first for any weight loss plan to work. If you don’t, you’ll just be another hamster on the never ending wheel.
Once you have both the mental and the physical aspects of a healthy lifestyle working for you, nothing will stop you. Trust me on that! Get you mind right, and you will keep that extra weight off for good!
The Fitness Diva is a top fitness instructor and personal trainer residing in New York City. She is also the author of the ebook “Strong Mind, Strong Body”. She has been in fitness for over 15 years.
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Posted by Yvonne Bridges
on Jan 25 2010 Filed under HEALTH, SELF HELP.
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I used to train so hard whe in the Army, I used to be able to run 1.5 miles in 10:32, on the treadmill, lifting weights, really agile and fit, then I discovered the delights of beer and cake, and things went downhill from there lol, I think Yvonne is right, planning an effective routine is key, and also having the will power to get off your arse and sort yourself out is a start, thanks for the great post Yvonne! by the way your really hot!
My recent post How To Banish Bad Breath For Good!
Well Adam if you have a hard time doing it alone, you can always find a workout partner to help motivate each other. Or join the ARMY again.
Great tips! I so need to get back into a state of physical fitness. My weight isn't really the issue but a healthier lifestyle…I could certainly live with!
My recent post Open Letter to prospective emergency room patient
Agreed, I think everyone so far has said something to that effect. Especially eating better.
Weight Loss Success Starts From Within | Man Over Board: Deciding what to post as a fitness blogger is always a ch… http://bit.ly/4vS3Wk
Yep, she's right on the money. It's not that difficult if you set your mind to it. As you age it's ever so important to stay active and eat healthy. Hubby and I do this every single day. Great post.
Have a terrific day Glenn. Big hug.
My recent post Caption This Winners
Great to know your staying in shape and doing your daily exercises, you get an MOB gold star.
You are the honorable mention winner in my recent 'caption this' contest. Congratulations.
Caption This Winners
Have a terrific day. Big hug.
Why I am honored, I love your contests too, their always fun. I am working on doing our first one soon. Hoping it will be sponsored by one of our bigger advertisers also. Stay tuned….
This is all so true. A good plan is the way to go with a diet or getting in shape. I try to eat healthy and a little less than I used to because it is hard for me to work out a lot. I have lots of arthritis. Anyway, this is a really good post. You have tons of great ideas.
My recent post We won an award
Great post and my biggest problem are the bad habits I have. Like eating late, usually food that are not the healthiest choices either. But if you exercise, you can turn your body into a great metabolic calorie eating machine. Exercise is so important. Good post for the new year resolution people that have , well forgotten they made the resolution altogether.
Great guest post Glenn…
Yvonne knows what she is talking about…she lives how she talks!!! Her suggestions are for people not just women. I've been reading her blog for over a year now and always find what she has to say
"no nonsense to the point"!!!
Someone once told me…when it comes to weight lose, there is no such thing as will power, it is a decision you make and keep the best you can!
Cheers
My recent post Snow, sky, jewels, & faces!
That's what drew my to her is how she just lays it on the line. Your so right heather, you wither sit back and whine about it, or you get your ass up and do something about it. To bad I can't work out while I am blogging.
I can picture how I want to look, I can make a plan but then I get stuck. At the end of the work day I just don't have the energy to put it all into action.
It always sounds so easy reading it and it even motivates you, until you been on that thread mill for 20 minutes and your swearing under your breath. It is hard, but then again if it was easy we all would like like models.
@Anne – If you just don't have the energy in the evening after work, change your plan. Get up a little early, and train in the morning. Once I get home, there is no sitting down until 8pm. With family and business stuff, there is just no time after work. So, I get up an hour early, and crank out my workout. Not only does it ensure that it gets done, I feel fantastic the rest of the day.
My recent post Losing It and Keeping Fit!-Review
Great comment Todd, I wish I could be more like you
Hi Mr. Glenn, You have the best guest posts! Absolutely agree with Yvonne. It's the mind set. Positive reinforcement. I used to lift weights in my 40's and was in the best shape in my life. But now, in my late 50's, I need to get with a plan again. Such great practical advice, very motivating. Glenn, you should invite Yvonne back anytime, no offense to you and the other guy bloggers, but she is way more attractive!
My recent post Guest Post from Bingo, the One Year Old Filipino Boy Blogger!
Plenty of good advice here – the most difficult thing about seeing anything through is the motivation to stick with it. A diet and exercise is a way of life – not something that works only from time to time. If you can work it into your mindset to become routine, it becomes that much easier to follow though on.
Excellent post Yvonne!
My recent post TWO FOR TUESDAY
Yes the old M word, motivation. That is the key to everything in regards to success to be self motivated. God to see you my Giddy man!
I have written about this before. "Diet" has taken on a negative connotation. The bottom line is that fitness and living healthy is a lifestyle choice. Motivation is important, hence Yvonne's suggestion of the pictures, but you just sometimes have to work through it. If it's just part of your daily routine, it'll get done.
My recent post Losing It and Keeping Fit!-Review
In most important routines you have in your life, consistency is of the utmost importance. NO matter how one accomplishes it.
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Excellent post…..if you do not move it …you will not lose it….and with that thought in mind no matter what you are doing…you can beat the fat game for sure. Anyone that knows me knows that I incorporate exercise or stretches into everything I do even if it is standing waiting in line. I never stop thinking about how I am standing, or leaning….it is not that I am an extremist…I basically have subconsciously become aware of how to burn in every situation.
So many people say that they do not have the time…well start to think about what you can do when you do have a minute or even a few seconds. There is no rule saying you must go to a gym or exercise for a certain amount of time at one time.
Be inventive and most of all read articles like ..Weight Loss Success Starts From Within..to help motivate you and/or simply to keep you on the right track
YOU are just my favorite person in the WORLD today with all these great comments. You must have the day off. I know you work a lot and seeing your picture can tell there ain’t an inch of fat on you. If you want to lose it, you gots to groove it.
I have another guest post this evening from Kevin at Strong and Fit that will sum up the New Years Weight Lost peeps that made a commitment to themselves. So blessed to have wonderful people help guest post here. It’s makes for a great diverse discussion.
Huggz Glenn….the feelings are mutual and your articles are addicting and get even more interesting every day~
Busy….jeesh…that’s my middle name..however I am finding my cadence and the ride is getting easier once again
Well I am not sure what your question is, but if you are asking for clarification, I will give u my opinion. I think you need to be pretty set on succeeding if you truly want to succeed. If you have the right state of mind, you can pretty much do whatever you set your mind to do.
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