NEW YOU.
Remember the New Year? Yes, that thing a few weeks ago when the ball dropped, and New York, along with the rest of America, sang and cheered for 2019. Somewhere in a room full of celebration and left-over Christmas good cheer, you made the decision to get fit. Maybe you stuffed your face with one last handful of chocolate covered pretzels before embarking on your 500 calorie diet. Perhaps that morning as you lay on the bed, shoving fifty pounds worth of excess belly into a pair of skinny jeans, you decided enough was enough. That this was going to be your year, no matter what. You decided that you were going to lose weight.
And Then What Happened?
And then comes that first wet Wednesday morning. It is February after all. Cold, depths of winter. Dark nights, equally dark mornings. You might even be shoveling snow on the driveway. Trying to decide if the car outside your door is actually rehearsing for a Japanese ice sculpture exhibition; or if indeed, it is still just a car.
Hardly the run up to the HCG Diet of the Year award, if there was one. Nope, you’re more likely to reach for a plate of steak, potatoes, and corn bread, followed by a long winter’s nap. Who wants to mix a ‘refreshing’ smoothie? You might as well ask for cold soup!
The Numbers
Statistically, more people renew life style or personal fitness commitments in January than at any other time of year. Two weeks in however, almost fifty percent of New Year Resolutions are shoved into the back of the closet along with the tennis shoes. Why? Possibly, because it is winter, and as descendants of ancient man, we should be conserving energy and stuffing our faces with fists full of carbs, not counting how many calories in a stem of broccoli, and running ten miles before driving to work.
The Upside
Okay, so here is the other side of the coin. Remember that nearly fifty percent chuck it all in for some late night TV and a bag of chips and ranch dip? Well, what about the other fifty percent? The ones that do go on to successfully complete their goals? The ones who others will look at six months from now and ask; how did you do it?
Getting on Track
What is your reason, The big WHY when you took the plunge, ordering your HCG Supplies? Often times the only difference between someone who follows through with their goals and someone who doesn’t is the purpose behind it. Perhaps you witnessed health issues in friends and family members; issues related to lifestyle and food choices that have built up over many years. In that case, you might feel as though you are staring at a future you want no part of. And so, eating 500 calories a day and following an HCG Diet plan seem like a small trade off in the long run. Alternatively, you just might want to look better in your clothes! Maybe you participated in the recent 10 year Social Media Challenge. The one where you posted a picture of yourself ten years ago, compared with how you look today. You might have thought, what happened? Whatever your motivation, reinforce it with your WHY.
Your Body Responding to Change.
As good as positive change is for our bodies, be prepared to drag it kicking and screaming all the way to a healthier you. If you are following the 500 calorie a day diet, reducing your sugar or carb intake, or perhaps brand new to exercise, your body is probably going to protest! Be prepared to feel more tired than usual, possibly more irritated. While these things don’t exactly feel great, you are literally eliminating toxic sugars, additives, and other non-nutritious elements from your body. Preparation and knowledge is your insurance against the temptation to quit. When the going gets tough; rest assured you are heading toward your goal. Now for the fun, statutory Legal Disclaimer: It goes without saying you should speak to your doctor beforehand regarding any medical issues needing to be addressed prior to your lifestyle change.
Your Support Network
Seek the support of others aiming for the same or similar goals as you. Social media is a great tool for this. Check out Meet Up groups in your area. The right support can be critical to long term success, especially those following a 500 calorie restricted diet or the HCG Diet.
Families
We love our families and close friends, but they are not always the best source of support. Perhaps they have witnessed you taking a similar journey several times before, only to wipe out by February. Other family members, not understanding how a restricted calorie diet works may be critical of your weight loss goals. Still others, content with the lifestyle and food choices you are attempting to move away from may try reeling you back in with tempting treats and beverages.
Exercise During an HCG Diet Plan
Exercise is great. It releases endorphins, can make your skin glow and just generally make you feel great! All those are good things. However, those who have either never committed to a long term exercise program or who engage in 500 calorie per day diet plans such as the HCG Diet should carefully plan their work outs in advance.
Slow and Steady
For exercise newbies, it is important to give those muscles a gentle awakening through exercise programs like yoga and pilates. Remember earlier we discussed how much our bodies love to rebel when we try to do something beneficial in the long term? Well, exercise is one of those triggers. If in doubt, speak to a fitness professional who can help chart an appropriate work out plan designed to gradually and safely increase physical challenges as your fitness levels improve.
Exercising on 500 Calories
Even those used to exercising at a relatively high intensity and fitness level should begin slowly. An essential part of the HCG Diet plan is the calorie restriction. Intense exercise requires increased fuel to the muscles; in other words, more food! Once again, if unsure take advice from a fitness professional. As a general guide, you don’t have to skip the gym with your friends after work. Maybe now is the time to take that yoga or stretch class. Give your muscles a chance to recover from previous bouts of intense activity, in addition to adjusting to new food intakes currently imposed upon it.
A New Activity, a New Mindset
Any lifestyle change can be tough at first. Take the pressure off by learning a new activity! If you are looking forward to trying that new Tai Chi class in town, or that adult ballet class you have been curious about, now might be the time to try. Science has demonstrated that new activities create new neurological pathways as we study, learn and engage. The simple act of concentrating on a brand new activity may make us less likely to dwell on food or restricted calorie intake.
Get Your Rest
Tired? Get some rest! There are no medals for wearing yourself out. An effective workout plan includes recovery time. Avoid over fatigue and injuries by taking days off. Maybe you plan alternate days of walking the neighborhood for an hour with a pilates class.
Reward yourself
Now that you are beginning to see and feel the physical benefits of your HCG Diet and 500 calorie per day restriction, reward yourself! Nope. Sorry, not the cake! Perhaps a nice new set of cute underwear! Maybe a new, wow outfit for work, guaranteed to make people notice just how much weight you have lost. Maybe that new facial or skincare routine you have been wanting to try. After all, you are making a holistic investment in yourself! Whatever it is, do it! You have earned it!
Journal
Track your progress with a journal; either private or public blog posting with videos. It is up to you to decide. This is your journey. You get to choose how much you are comfortable sharing. Chances are, you may not see the incremental changes occurring at first. Over time, however, you will. Take hip, waist, chest measurements and so on, before you start your journey, then again at six week intervals. Compare the numbers. If you have stuck to your goals in the best way possible for you and your starting point, you will be amazed at the changes taking place. That can literally be the difference between continuing or reaching for a plate of white pasta.
Make it Fun
Remember, make it fun. This is your journey and no one else’s. Make a list of all that motivates you…and just go for it.
See you on the beach!
Visit HCGSupplies.com to begin.