It's normal to feel that staying on track during the summer isn't easy. But no one said that success was easy. With the smells of barbecue creeping through the backyard, a healthy diet can be a chore to maintain, and hitting 10,000 steps in sweltering heat isn't so appealing, either. But rather than looking at the summer as a downer, realize that the challenge is all the more reason to show the world what you're made of. If for no other incentive, prove to yourself that not even a sizzling cheeseburger can keep YOU from hitting your goal.
Following in the footsteps of our friends at Canada AM, push yourself just a bit farther: Instead of gritting through 10,000 steps, challenge yourself to 11,000. Or keep a food journal to let your fingers know that you see them inching toward the cupboard, and that they better move away from the snacks. Setting a goal a little beyond your reach may ignite your dormant drive.
Now, don't get too far ahead of yourself. The best way to increase or decrease caloric intake is in baby steps. If you want these steps to turn into strides, make them realistic. Increasing your daily walking to 15,000 steps could be too much at first, and the last thing you're interested in is getting stuck in bed with an injury.
Also, your body may not be ready to crank up the heat just yet, and that's okay. Let your insides do the talking: If you feel great, keep up that extra work. But if you're dragging, cut back a bit. There's no shame in trying.
Congratulations to Suzanne, Tami, and Caroline for beginning their own YOU-Turns and continuing on the path to waist and weight success.
| |
START |
1-19-07 |
3-2-07 |
3-23-07 |
7-6-07 |
SUM |
| |
DAY 0 |
DAY 3 |
DAY 44 |
DAY 65 |
DAY 110 |
110 days |
| CAROLINE |
| WAIST |
36 |
35 |
31.5 |
30.5 |
30 |
-6 in. |
| WEIGHT |
174 |
171.1 |
161.5 |
157.5 |
155 |
-19 lb. |
|
| TAMI |
| WAIST |
35 |
34.5 |
32.5 |
32.5 |
32 |
-3 in. |
| WEIGHT |
180 |
176 |
168 |
164 |
160 |
-20 lb. |
|
| SUZANNE |
| WAIST |
35.5 |
34.5 |
34 |
33.5 |
33 |
-2.5 in. |
| WEIGHT |
142.5 |
141.0 |
136.5 |
132 |
129 |
-13.5 lb. |
Rather than snacking, Suzanne has been channeling her added stress by walking. With caution, her extra push has been to try the advanced workout.
For Tami and Jim (her husband, who's started the YOU plan, too), the best ways of taking control of summer have been cutting out the late junk food and recommitting themselves to getting in the daily 10,000 steps.
Caroline, too, is a perfect example of the YOU-Turn. Determined to shed 20 more pounds, she's cutting out 200 calories and seriously increasing her exercise. Be careful, though, Caroline. You want to make sure you can keep these changes in motion!
Next week, we'll take a look at the YOU: Staying Young challenge and get a recap on our old friends. Until then, try your own YOU-Turn!
