Stop it Before it Starts

Bikini pictures, hot weather, and light summer recipes make it easy to stay motivated. Add in some fall weather, Crock Pot meals, and baggy sweaters, and the motivation flies slowly out the window.

It’s a vicious cycle every woman on the planet struggles with. It’s annoying, yes…but it’s natural. So don’t even start to beat yourself up about it.

Here’s how my fall & winter go: my birthday (next week), my mom’s birthday, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Little Sister’s birthday, Christmas, New Years, winter family vacation, and a bunch of football games, traveling and tailgating in between. That’s five months of celebrations, holidays and family gatherings.

I’ll admit, last year I was better than usual. But I still packed on at least five extra pounds. And the worst part? Year after year, I never see it coming. It doesn’t really even hit me until it’s all over. Spring arrives, and I have to work my ass off (literally) to get ready for summer.

This year I refuse to repeat the cycle. I know what’s coming, and I plan to stop it before it even starts. Who’s with me?

Here’s the plan:

– Stay on schedule
Whatever fitness routine you have in place, keep it up. Don’t make excuses just because you have a lot to do. You only have one body; take care of it.

– Keep the homemade baking marathons to a minimum
I’m quite possibly the only 25-year-old who’s obsessed with baking AND working out…but whatever. It’s totally ok to enjoy a treat every now and then, but keeping fresh-baked goods in your kitchen is not a good idea. Trust me. Step awayyyyy from the KitchenAid, girl.

– Keep a bikini and skinny jeans in plain sight, in the closet, at all times
Out of sight, out of mind right? The less you look at that bikini, the less you’re going to think about looking good in it. And don’t hide the skinny jeans. Don’t do it. Throw your scale away, and use your skinny jeans as a point of reference. It’s much more effective!

– Alcohol is for weekends and/or special occasions ONLY
Alcohol is the number one ab killer. Don’t believe me? Stop drinking alcohol for a month (combined with your normal exercise routine) and watch what happens to your body. Miracles, people. MIRACLES.

– Plan ahead
This month’s diet is next month’s body. Always remember that. It took me forever to fully grasp this concept;  but once I did, it was a game changer. So for instance: starting September 1st, you’re feeling good. Your body is on point, your self confidence is soaring, and you give yourself a little break. You eat like shit for 2 weeks. Body is still ok, so you think you can keep eating like shit. Middle of September rolls around, and you’re like OMG I can eat crap and still look amazing?! You continue to give yourself “breaks” until the last week in September. You start feeling a little tired, so you decide to start eating well again. Second week of October rolls around and you wake up feeling like you’ve gained 6 pounds. HELLO SEPTEMBER DIET!

You all can do this. Don’t repeat the cycle; stop it before it starts!

Do you have any tips or helpful hints you’d like to add?

Stay fit, friends! Xo