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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

How to Stay Focused


One of the things that will help you to achieve and maintain your weight loss and fitness goal is to keep your focus in not only your daily life, but also through the unexpected things that tend to pop up.



Family issues arise, sometimes your duties at work increase, you get sick, on certain days you have less energy, your emotions fluctuate depending on what's going on in your life....the list goes on and on. It's at those times that the real challenge comes in.

Here is where you will have to rely on a few concrete tools that can help you keep your eye on the ball.

First off, you should already have a few things set in place to keep you in mind of what you're trying to achieve.
We already discussed keeping a food and exercise journal. Whether you're doing that or not, you can also use to do lists and reminder notes that you can keep in places that you're sure to see them often.
I like to carry a little notebook with me everywhere I go. I use this notebook not only to stay organized, but to write things in that keep me inspired and informed. Quotes, new exercises that I can try, maybe some info from an article that I read, a reminder to buy some new healthy food stuff that I read up on, etc. I also will write out a meal plan or two, and make lists of the things that I can snack on that are better than the Cheezits and Snapple iced tea that I crave when I'm in the mood for a snack, and goals that I have, fitness related and otherwise. Just keeping everything close to the front of my brain seems to help me out in my weaker moments.
If you have a day planner, you can also jot little notes in it to remind yourself to work out, or just a note to yourself saying "eat healthy today!", or any bit of something that can keep you in the right frame of mind. We read all this stuff on the net and in books about weight loss and fitness, but sometimes forget about it when we turn the computer off. Make it your business to keep good info right in your face when you need it.

Another thing that you can do that helps is to use your friends, spouses and family as allies in your journey.
Ask them to question and ride you a little bit about your workouts and your eating habits. I've been known to ask my friends "are you gonna work out today?", and my brother knows that I will pick on him and ride him like a bull if he tells me he ate six pork chops, or something crazy (which he actually did one day!) Having people around that check up on you from time to time can help keep you accountable and wanting to do good.

Most importantly, be sure that you're taking good care of yourself in all other areas, such as getting enough sleep, drinking plenty of water, and having someone to talk to when you're going through something that's making you angry, sad, depressed, feeling overwhelmed, etc. Use all the resources around you that you possibly can to get what you want, which in this case, is a strong, healthy body and life.

Keep up your efforts! Good things will be sure to come from it! ;)



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20 comments:

Azure Accessories said...

As usual great tips!!!
I truly appreciate your dedication to being fit and healthy...if I keep coming back hopefully it will be contagious!!!

Cheers

Anonymous said...

Solid information! I was runnning my online food diary whatdidieat.com untill I lost my iphone and its amazing camera/wp blogging app - need to get back on it (helps me gain momentum in eating only healthy food :)thanks for sharing your knowledge - it's appreciated!

Strongblkwmn said...

I made the mistake of going on vacation in the middle of losing weight. I had lost almost 50 pounds. When I came back it just wasn't the same. I'm going to remember your tips as I try to get myself back into fitness mode. It's so disappointing when you gain back the weight you lost.

Unknown said...

I agree. Great tips. I had a good friend that used to work out a lot and we both promised years ago to get on each others case if we slacked off or started to get a little soft looking. Well, he got married and while he was engaged let himself go and keeping to the promise, I pointed it out to him and he got mad and said that I was superficial and didn't understand that he was in love and love is all that matters. LOL! What can you do with some people?

Unknown said...

I agree. Great tips. I had a good friend that used to work out a lot and we both promised years ago to get on each others case if we slacked off or started to get a little soft looking. Well, he got married and while he was engaged let himself go and keeping to the promise, I pointed it out to him and he got mad and said that I was superficial and didn't understand that he was in love and love is all that matters. LOL! What can you do with some people?

Matt said...

Diva, are you a therapist in your free time? :-) That is some very good advice. Staying in the right "frame of mind" leads to "peace of mind".

GLBT Promo said...

The notebook is an excellent point. I write all my notes on my iPhone. It has a notebook section and you can also download notebook apps from the App Stores.

Davida said...

These are GREAT tips. Daily pressures from life certainly throw me off my game sometimes. Your tips can help with living a better, more productive life.

Davida

Anonymous said...

I tried keeping a daily notebook but what I found that works better for me is having a weekly check list. Having goals for the week lets me understand what I am trying to get done instead of just what needs to be done for the day. Everyone has their own method just look for one that works for you and you will be better off.

Shelia said...

Great advice Fitness Diva. I've learned that consistency and dedication lead to a comfortable routine and you don't even have to think about it anymore.

Anonymous said...

You give us great tips again, Diva.

Maybe you know a famous belle named Yang Gui Fei, Wife of an emperor of Chinese Tang Dynasty, Staying focused is her tips of keep beauty. :)

Dori said...

Great tips Diva! I love the idea of the notebook :)

Anonymous said...

I find I have the best success with anything (including fitness) when I have clear written goals. I don't do it so much with food, but definitely with workout plans and what not.

bluecrystaldude said...

Good and practical tips! Apart from list out my goals, I usually try my best to calculate my calories, proteins and carbs consumption. After all, I did learn how to calculate those things in one of my biology courses :)

All and all, I prefer to be a daily planner. I just hope I could fit your fitness regime to my schedule. LOL. Not sure it will happen any soon though :P

Love the picture!

HEALTH NUT WANNABEE MOM said...

Wonderful tips that I can actually follow. My downfall is chocolate and when I want it nothing can stand in my way. But these can help me!

gLoR!e said...

Focus is the most lacking in my entire life. I can't focus in few minutes in any certain things..heheh

anyway, how are you?

GagayMD said...

whew! THANKS GOD IT'S FRIDAY..

gagay

Anonymous said...

I still have to work on that sleep part. I cannot sleep more than four hours at a time. This is of course as long as I am in the city. If I'm on vacation I'll sleep the day away... And then get my party on.

But I'm working on it... I'm a work in progress

Anonymous said...

What a wonderfully serene picture. Just looking at it makes me happy.

BoogieBoxFitness said...

Great tips on staying focused!!

 
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