Motivational Mondays-- small change = big results!

Good morning readers & happy Monday. This weekend was an eventful one & I'm looking forward to a crazy busy week ahead! On the blog today I wanted to talk about small changes. It's important that you always remember when it comes to health & fitness that small steps create big results in time. It's important to remind yourself of that & to be encouraged that the goal is getting closer! 

So what are small steps? 

Some of the easiest steps you can take are in your diet. They might not be the easiest mentally, but they are simple to do. For example, try eliminating one soda per day, one dessert per day, one fast food per day. And then try incorporating some good habit behavior. Add 3 extra glasses of water, add a vegetable to every meal, a healthy carb at your main meals, & exercise every day. 

By making small & simple changes in your diet & exercise habits you can make a big difference in your health & fitness goals. 

Setting a big goal can also be very encouraging when you are taking baby steps. Try saying "I will run a 5k", "I will lose 10 pounds in 3 months", etc. Once you've set a large goal, write down baby steps to help you reach that goal. "Run 2 miles 3x per week". Once you achieve those small goals, you will be encouraged to carry on to reach your ultimate goal. 

Write it down! Make a goal board. Hang it up. Look at it daily. I love the staircase board. Draw a staircase, at the top put your ultimate goal, & on each step put smaller goals that will help you achieve that. Climb your very own ladder to success! Cross out each step once you reach that goal. It will be great encouragement as you get closer & closer to the prize! 

Reward yourself--and not with food! Tell yourself that once you run that 5k you will buy a new pair of running shoes! Tell yourself when you lose 10 pounds you will treat yourself to some new clothes. Sometimes the greatest thing you can do is spoil yourself for a job well done.

Lastly, but most important...don't give up! Set your small goals realistically so you do not disappoint yourself. Give yourself realistic goals so that you do not become overwhelmed or discouraged. This is your journey & on your time. You aren't in a rush & you aren't competing with anyone but yourself. One of my favorite quotes is: "do not compare your journey with someone else's. Your beginning might just be their ending." 

No ones paths are the same. Our bodies are all different shapes, sizes, & weight. Our goals are all different & our health & physical shape are all different as well. Don't look to the person next to you on the bike or treadmill, don't look at the person stretching further than you in yoga. Be encouraged & motivated by your own journey. Let your journey be good enough. And when you reach your goal, celebrate big!!! 

Have a wonderful week readers! 

-Morgan