| Lifestyle choices. Many of us know what we need to | | | | what you've accomplished can really help you stay on |
| do to live a healthier lifestyle, but it's easy to fall off | | | | track. Keep a journal to record your activity and |
| the heart health wagon from time-to-time. | | | | keep motivated. |
| And once you fall off, it can be awfully hard to get | | | | * It will get easier - really! If you are overweight or |
| back on again! | | | | out of shape, exercise can be very hard. Keep it up |
| So whether you are changing your lifestyle to take | | | | and it really will will get easier and easier as you |
| care of your ticker, or you simply want to continue | | | | improve your fitness level and lose weight. |
| with a healthy lifestyle, this article will provide some | | | | Remember - if you are living with heart disease |
| tips to help you stay motivated -- with your eating, | | | | check with your doctor before starting a new fitness |
| your fitness, and your weight. | | | | program. For more information see Smart Heart |
| Staying Motivated to eat well | | | | Living's section on exercise. |
| Don't feel like cooking? Don't have time to prepare | | | | Finding the motivation to lose weight |
| healthy foods? Falling into old habits or reaching for | | | | Are you fighting the battle of the bulge? Here are |
| those snack foods so many of us regard as comfort | | | | some weight loss motivation tips: |
| food? Here are some heart healthy diet motivation | | | | * Picture this. Keep a photo of yourself at your |
| tips: | | | | heaviest posted in on your bathroom mirror. It will |
| * Purge your pantry. Get rid of snack foods, heavily | | | | remind you each morning of what you're working to |
| processed foods, any of the unhealthy choices that | | | | overcome. You can also post a photo of when you |
| tempt you. If they're not there, you can't succumb | | | | were lighter so you can visualize your goal every day. |
| to them. | | | | * Chart your measurements in a journal. Record |
| * Shop with a list. You're more likely to buy healthy | | | | dimensions (waist, hips, chest) rather than your |
| foods (and less likely to buy junk food on impulse) if | | | | weight, because muscle weighs more than fat. As |
| you shop with a list. Plan your menus in advance and | | | | you tone, especially if your routine includes working |
| don't shop when you are hungry! | | | | with weights, the scales may not reflect the changes |
| * Try something new. Experiment with new recipes. | | | | actually taking place in your body. |
| Challenge yourself to snack on something different -- | | | | * Don't lose it alone. Have a weight loss partner. |
| and stock your kitchen accordingly. | | | | Having a partner makes you responsible to not just |
| * Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels. If you're | | | | yourself, which can sometimes spell the difference |
| feeling tempted, stop and think about what's more | | | | between success or status quo. |
| important -- a momentary pleasure or your lasting | | | | * Allow yourself to splurge a little on the weekend |
| health? | | | | (key words are "a little"). Then you have the rest of |
| For more tips see Smart Heart Living and check out | | | | the week to be more careful with what you eat. If |
| our Smart Heart Recipes. | | | | you know there's a treat in store on the weekend, it |
| Staying motivated to exercise | | | | will be easier to stick to your weight loss program. |
| We all know we need exercise but sometimes it's | | | | It's all about YOU! |
| just plain hard to get motivated. Here are some | | | | Effective motivation has to come from within -- it's |
| fitness motivation tips: | | | | self motivation -- not from someone else telling you |
| * Engage in activities you enjoy. If you enjoy doing | | | | what to do. To get healthy or stay healthy you need |
| something it's recreation, not work! If you don't | | | | to adopt a heart smart mind set. Recognize that: |
| enjoy it, the self motivation is hard to find! Walking, | | | | * It takes time, energy, effort, hard work, and |
| hiking, biking, golfing, rowing... you choose whatever it | | | | commitment to change and sustain your lifestyle... but |
| is you like to do, then get out and have some fun! | | | | you are worth it, right? |
| * Have an exercise buddy. Make a date. When you | | | | * Lifestyle changes can and should be fun! |
| have someone to exercise with you are less likely to | | | | * Your lifestyle choices not only affect your health, |
| get bored and less likely to jam out or to | | | | they have an influence on your loved ones too. |
| procrastinate. You can help motivate each other. | | | | * No one can sustain an unhealthy lifestyle without |
| * Vary your routine. I walk most days but some | | | | eventual consequences. |
| days I golf, other days I bike, and I love to go for a | | | | * Everyone experiences setbacks from time-to-time |
| paddle in the canoe. A variety of physical activities will | | | | (don't beat yourself up about it), but the faster you |
| keep things more interesting, plus you'll exercise | | | | get back on track, the easier it will be. |
| different muscle groups. You can also alternate | | | | With any healthy lifestyle changes you are making, |
| between cardiovascular activities and resistance | | | | be sure to set small goals and celebrate as you reach |
| exercises. | | | | them. That can be a motivation in itself! |
| * Keep an exercise log. The act of writing down | | | | Good luck! |