I know a lot of people who want to start a life change, who want to eat better and workout. A lot of them don’t even get started because of the voices in their head talk them out of it. I have been there, I was that person, I know exactly what your head says to convince you that now is not exactly the right time. Let’ be clear: there is never going to be the perfect time to do this. But this isn’t like having sex for the first time or getting proposed to–you don’t need everything to be perfect to jump in and do this. So STOP! Stop thinking you have to be a certain size! A certain level of fitness to start! You don’t. Isn’t the point of starting to workout or change your eating the point? What are you waiting for? A fucking fairy to fly out of your ass and make you in shape and give you the eating habits you need? It isn’t going to happen. And people in the gym are not looking at you and judging you for being there. In fact, the fact that you are there is inspiring. So stop being your own worst enemy!!!!!

If you are still with me and not pissed off at the language I have used, lets get into how you can make this life change.

1. Start with small changes: it’s the small things that make the biggest difference. Don’t work out at all? Start. Do something. Get off the couch. Don’t wait until you are “more in shape” to go to the gym. How will that happen if you don’t workout? Your guess is as good as mine. Don’t eat healthy? Do something small–start a food journal, plan your meals in advance and be honest with yourself. You don’t have to cook all the time to plan your meals, just go into the week knowing what you want to eat and plan for it.
2. Don’t get discouraged: it takes time for your changes to be seen on your body. You didn’t put that weight on overnight, it is not going to come off with the snap of a finger. And it’s not going to be without its hardship. The weight isn’t going to magically come off. It’s going to fight you. “Just keep swimming”. You will change, you will get healthier, smaller, better. You just have to fight for it day by day.
3. It takes 28 days to change a habit: So you start out strong when you workout or change your eating. The first week? GOLDEN. Then the second week hits and you are tired. You get sick. You don’t want to workout. You just want to pick up some fast food on your way home. This happens all the time. The difference is knowing that it takes 28 days for you to change yourself. When I first started working out I had to trick myself to the gym. I would day to myself “You have 30 minutes right? I know you are tired/don’t want to go/feeling bloated, but you can give it just 30 minutes, right?” and I always said YES. And then I would go, get into my groove and would workout for an hour. The key was my mental conversation. I wanted this, but I also was stuck in my ways. It took this kind of conversation at least once a week to get me into the gym. From there the love affair took off. I got addicted to how working out made me feel. I loved the adrenaline rush afterwards. Feeling sweaty, broken and crazy. It’s the best feeling. I wish everyone knew how good working out feels.

So start there. It’s a new year. Your health is so important. Don’t be your own worst enemy. And as the picture says: JUST DO IT, EVEN IF YOU SUCK!! You will get better, if you commit and go for it. I know you have it in you.