Before I begin this blog post, I just want to emphasise I’m talking about finding my healthy. Anything I say is in relation to me, and I’m not making any form of comment or judgement about anyone else’s weight, fitness or lifestyle habits. For me, part of being healthy has been about becoming lighter and fitter, however I don’t subscribe to exercise plans or diets, and I don’t weigh myself or count calories or steps, these are just mentioned as part of my story. For me it’s feeling and being as healthy as I can be as I get slightly (!) older, without slaving in the gym for hours per day and cutting out food that I love or a glass or two (or three) of red wine when I want it.
To give a bit of background, in April 2022 I went for a medical appointment in Singapore, my home at the time, and weighed in at the heaviest I remembered being. Having experienced burnout at the end of 2020 my whole focus had been getting myself back to some form of normal functioning. Weight and fitness had not been priorities for a while, but I knew I felt heavy, unhealthy, flabby, and unfit. I made a decision that day that I wanted to get fit and lose weight in a long term way that I could maintain for the rest of my life. I had, like many people, been through ups and downs of weight and fitness throughout my adult life, but had never been consistent long term. This time I was determined to crack it.
15 months later, in July of this year, I had slowly lost 12kg and reached what I considered to be my target weight in the beginning of the process. I may have reached that weight before but I really don’t weigh myself, there just happened to be some scales where I was staying and I was interested to see. I just feel healthy and lean and in good shape, with more energy, and that’s all I care about these days. Here’s what I learnt along the way:
It’s about the whole package for real overall health change: exercise and movement, nutritious food, less alcohol, more sleep, and a calmer way of living
Sometimes slow and steady is the best way. Which has been such a hard realisation for someone as impatient as me
Consistency is key. Showing up week in, week out, (with the odd week off, of course!), even when the results are taking a while to show
If you want to make real long lasting change then find ways of eating, moving and exercising that you enjoy. If you hate running then give it up and try other exercises until you find something that is in some way enjoyable
You don’t have to sweat buckets, beast yourself in the gym, turn yourself bright purple to have an effective exercise session (news to me until I embraced strength training in recent months which has changed by body in a faster time more than any other exercise)
Plan in advance when you’re going to exercise: for how long, where and what you’re going to do. I find it much easier to plan my week in advance and have exercise and movement booked in my diary
In the same vein, have clothes ready / laid out / trainers at the door
Mix exercise that is harder for you with movement that you love. I love yoga and walking so I do one of them every day and throw a gym session in between
Find a way to enjoy healthy food. The same with finding the exercises you most enjoy, try and test different foods, different combinations, try out new recipes, cook at home
There is no getting away from the fact that getting healthy and leaner takes time. Somehow, carve out the time in your busy life for it. You deserve it
Spend what you can on good quality exercise classes, the good trainers, the good yoga classes, the good quality food. Spend money on that instead of other things if you can. Again, you deserve it
No beating yourself up if you have a week where you don’t manage to do anything! We’re talking about long term change, a week or two doesn’t matter. At all
Life is all about balance. There is joy to be found in indulgence. There is joy to be found in having a week of rest and staying in bed for a couple of days. Just do it when you need to
If would like support for making lasting life change in any area of life, get in touch with me on karen@karenhaguecoaching.com or at https://www.karenhaguecoaching.com/
Comments