6. Keep a food and exercise schedule.
This allows you to reflect on the day and check in where
you’re at. It also gives you a chance to set goals and track
your progress so you can see just how far you’ve come.
Just like any other to-do list, it’s very satisfying to write
down your accomplishments at the end of the day and
write a new one for tomorrow.
7. Take selfies.
I have absolutely no idea how much I weigh, and I don’t
particularly care. Your weight is nothing more than a
measure of how hard gravity is working to pull your
body toward the center of the earth. It does not take into
account your muscle mass, your fat mass, how much you
ate that day, or how much water you’re retaining. Most
of us take selfies all the time. How about skipping the
scale and putting that technology to use for your health
and snapping a few photos of your body in the here and
now? Take a candid look at these photos—no negative talk
allowed—to check in as you progress and see how your
body is changing.
8. Dress for success.
Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself. I
love buying new gym wear as it motivated me even more
to go an exercise in them. If you love your arms, wear a
sports tank. If you adore your calves, get some capri pants.
As you make progress, allow yourself to splurge on a new
top or bottom to show off your sexy new muscles. Not only
will this help to keep you motivated, but paying attention
to your clothing’s fit is a much better way to gauge weight
loss than a scale.
9. Know that strength training is a must.
Many women fear the words “strength training,” but it’s
absolutely essential for women of all ages. Not only does it
help you get in shape by building muscle and burning fat,
it also helps to increase bone density and defend against
osteoporosis. Plus, a great strength-training session is the
perfect way to manage stress and let off some steam.
10. Workout with a girlfriend.
Everything in life is more fun when shared with other
people. Research suggests that exercising with a friend
increases adherence to a program since workout partners
provide motivation as well as accountability. You can
push each other and also compliment each other for your
efforts. ‘Hi5s’, ‘hugs’ and ‘good job’ goes a long way.