As you all know, I live to eat and I workout so I can eat more. Losing weight, toning up or whatever your goals are, is actually really easy but the hardest part is finding motivation (and keeping it). Having the right mindset is the most important so you have to have the drive to reach your goals even though there’ll always be bumps along the way. Here are some tips that helped me:
- Don’t say “I want to lose weight.” Dieting is intimidating so don’t make it your main goal. Instead, focus on achieving a healthy lifestyle and once you do, you’re going to lose weight and tone up anyway.
Start a food journal. Weightloss is so simple: eat in a calorie deficit and by recording your food, you’ll see how many calories you’ve eaten and freak out when the numbers get too high which should be some motivation for you to stop [for the day]. Just don’t get too anal and obsessed with the calorie-counting and measuring food; it helps in the beginning but you can stop (or do it less frequently) once you understand your body and your foods overtime.- Start slow and don’t deprive yourself. Don’t cut everything out at once or you’ll end up binging. If you’re craving for something, let yourself have it once in a while in the beginning but only a little bit(eg. a bite) and then slowly restrict yourself even more. If you’re always eating sugary desserts, your body will always crave for it so once you cut it out, you’ll crave it less.
- Invest in cute workout gear that compliments your body. You can’t see your body with baggy t-shirts and your boyfriend’s gym shorts but with form fitting clothes (that aren’t2 sizes too small), you’ll see your body and the progress you’ve made = motivation will go up! FYI, I think Lululemon and Bebe Sports/PH8 sweat pants are the best.
- Load up your iPod. Music, workout videos (you can download from Youtube), fitness apps, take notes, etc. Technolgy is so good to us so take advantage of it— you’ll have everything you need right at your fingertips. There are 3 things I always need: iPod, water bottle and a towel. If I forget one of those, I’ll actually drive 20 minutes back home and to the gym again just to get it. I know that sounds stupid but back in high school if I forgot one of those, I would just not work out… which is even stupider. I’m getting there, okay.
- Read health and fitness blogs and know the science of toning up/losing weight/etc. Knowing how it works will make it much easier instead of just jumping into it and not see results and besides, it’s actually quite simple once you know how it’s done.
- Throw out the scale!! You really only need a mirror and your clothes but if you really need to, only weigh yourself once every two weeks. You’ll get discouraged weighing yourself daily and only seeing minuscule changes in progress.
- Be creative. Change your workout weekly/bi-weekly, do different kinds of cardio (machine, bodyweight, circuits, etc.), learn new ways to lift, take classes… the possibilities are endless and you’ll never get bored.
How do you guys stay motivated?
KATY:
great post katy! and much needed too esp with the new year. I’ve gone back to hot yoga classes which totally justified my shopping spree at Lululemon where I got the cutest top ahahhaa, so “investing in cute workout gear” definitely works for me. that, along with some calorie counting and just overall eating healthy (fruits and veggies) and being “green” (ie. walking to work, walking everywhere and taking the stairs)
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
Damn I really want to try hot yoga because everyone is doing it but I really despise heat!!
REPLY
awesome post. it takes quite a bit to motivate me to work out… i’m so lazy nowadays and tired after classes and what not. so not an excuse. but when i do workout, i’d say treating myself to a little pampering after would be my motivation! and oh music def plays a HUGE part in my workout session. need those very upbeat tunes to keep me going
REPLY
Great post! I am starting gym next week and I want so much to make it this time! I hope your advice will help my undisciplined mentality!
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
Good luck! Starting might be hard but just hang in there.
REPLY
what a great positive post! i love it, i would usually feel guilty reading these kinda posts but today i have gone to the gym and ive been at it for last 3 weeks now so im trying to keep myself motivated! its hard when u have to deal with work and other committments but thats really just an excuse huh! hehe omg and its so true, start SLOW and dont cut everything out. this is why a lot of diets fail. it makes sense.. to slowly cut things or else how can we keep going haha! xx
REPLY
My motivation: thinking about Jessica Biel & how she got fit and telling myself I need to stay on track for the marathon I’m training for.
Those are such fitness outfits! Shopping for cute fitness outfits that are actually performance based gets sooo addictive!
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
Wait, how did Jessica Biel get fit? I’m clueless.
I always wear black tank tops while working out but I love shopping for sweat pants.
REPLY
Great post! I started doing the P90x system not too long ago. It’s so far so good! And for workout outfits, I LOVE Lululemon. So comfy and they look great!
Love your blog!
xoxoxox
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
My boyfriend does it too… I was going to start it too but I really can’t stand following work out videos (and sweating in my hot hot house). I might give it a try next week though if he brings it my gym so we can work out there where it’s big and air-conditioned.
REPLY
you’re right.. its all about motivation… which i dont have right now! haha! i’d like to say “i dont have time” which really is true but i suppose if i was motivated enough, i would MAKE time. I really should, since i too live to eat! haha!
REPLY
I just got a spurt of motivation today prior to reading this post. Not so much on the working out, but motivate me to eat better. I’ve been slacking in the veggies and fruits. But reading this entry helped motivate even more! I love reading your fitness/health entries, so keep ‘em coming!
REPLY
To keep me on track, I try not to buy junk food at the market.
Instead, I purchase lots of healthy fruits & veggies to snack on. I LOVE snacking!
If I have junk food in the house, Im bound to eat it all up.
Jess Mai
maiphilosophy.blogspot.com/
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
I love snacking too!! I eat a lot of fruit despite the carbs but sometimes I can’t help buying all that junk food when I go grocery shopping. I have absolutely no will-power when it comes to food … only exercise so I guess that makes up for it.
REPLY
Great tips! Since January 1st I’ve only been eating sweets on Saturdays and I eat fruit everyday when I’m at work – I’ve lost 2kgs and 5cms around my belly already! Next step is to get on a work out routine!
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
Careful though… some fruits have a lot of carbs and sugar.
http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/whattoeat/a/whatfruit.htm
I still eat them anyway though. I love fruit!
REPLY
Malin
February 9th, 2010 |
But they contain a different type of sugar. I don’t think you need to think about how many carbs or sugar there is in fruits unless you over-eat and wonder why you don’t feel good
.
REPLY
Like you, I love to load up my iPod with new music. But, I don’t let myself listen to the new music unless I’m running. Sometimes, if I’ve purchased some really awesome new tunes, I can hardly wait to get out there and start pounding out those miles!
REPLY
well, i take a picture of some beaches and put it in front of the cross trainer and be like:
i need to look hawt in my bikini the next time i’m going there. fuh fuh fuh.
(which most of the time, fails!)
REPLY
I think that it’s important to have a daily regimen. I also think that one of the reasons why people have trouble losing weight is because they don’t even bother doing some of the simplest things on your list, they’d much rather obsess over it instead of relaxing. I’ve always been a semi-healthy eater because my mother never allowed us to eat junk food growing up so I don’t find much use for it these days. I’m guilty of eating fast food once in a while, though.
REPLY
Great tips! They all make so much sense but I’m totally bookmarking this to reread whenever I need some extra motivation. =)
REPLY
Putting on cute workout clothes really does motivate me
. I absolutely have to have my ipod when I exercise. It’s every bit as important as water lol.
The cloth monogram bags are actually the reason I’m not a big Coach fan. I’m surprised they’re sooo popular.
REPLY
Great tips! I think also trying to get a workout buddy is a good tip as well, so you can motivate each other! As long as I keep to a routine I find I do ok and I never ever weigh myself so I don’t get discouraged.
REPLY
I’m not a super active person but I do cycling @ home and some stretching regularly. I think for me the most difficult part is to resist fatty food, but recently I found myself the best video to watch so I don’t crave it anymore. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwHT2SuNOi8
REPLY
Katy
February 9th, 2010 |
OMG that looks soo good! I’m going to make it this summer when BBQ season comes around… better start working out hard and prepare for it now.
REPLY
niiice blog!
REPLY
Very good post
Thanks for the lovely comments on mine
Lipstick on the cheeks is always a great quick fix, and especially a good base under any other powder blush.
<3
REPLY
totally unrelated to this post but i noticed you were reading geisha: a life. the geisha that memoirs of a geisha is ‘loosely based’ on by arthur golden.
How do you like it? I enjoyed it a lot since I love geisha, ancient Japan, and old civilizations with lots of culture, etc. but Mineko (the geisha and writer) while very brillant also seems a little…snobbish? maybe better than thou a little attitude. But let me know your thoughts!
REPLY
Hi Katy, I found your blog via Amber’s (amapeli.org). This post is full of such great tips and motivation, and I desperately need to start getting into shape, so I’ll definately be emailing you for your fitness journal address (if you don’t mind)!
I’m the kind of person who ‘lives to eat’ too and found this article very helpful, so thought I’d share it! http://www.psychologies.co.uk/Self-knowledge/Psychological/Food-related-issues/No-more-mindless-eating
REPLY
silly k & t – where’d you guys make resos to eat downtown for vday?!?! we resorted to just staying in richmond because we don’t wanna battle the crowds. haha!
REPLY
I definitely don’t have the motivation currently because I can’t pay for a gym membership and it is too cold outside to do the basic running for cardio, but I do eat pretty healthy so I just keep that in mind haha.
REPLY
Hi there! Thanks so much for stopping by my blog : )
This is a great post and comes at a good time for me … it was one of my resolutions this year to be more fit (including eating healthier and working out regularly). I eat such junk that I know it will catch up to me one day. As for the cute workout clothes mentioned in your post … Victoria’s secret actually has some good ones! I got some great workout tanks from there that look pretty stylish as well.
REPLY
AWESOME POST KATY! =p
REPLY
Hey Katy,
Investing in cute workout clothes. That’s a really good one!
REPLY
Hey Katy!
This sounds great, I’m already keeping a workout schedule since I’m doing the Insanity workout program, but the food journal sounds like a good idea!
(Btw, looks like we have some stuff in common
I love K-pop, and fooddd, and you’re a designer? I’m trying to intern in fashion industry, puahaha. What sort of stuff do you design? ^^)
XOXO
Tiffany
REPLY
Favoritee Kpop singer – TVXQ & 2NE1!
OOOH, you’re a web/graphic designer, hehe! That’s awesome, my friend is doing that as well. It’s cool to be able to work from wherever, huh?
I’m actually thinking of doing fashion marketing, I totally suck at drawing
REPLY
great tips! i so agree w/the don’t deprive your self, that makes me wanna eat more.
i used to put a poster of a sexy model w/her 2 peace on on my wall.. hehe.. to motivate myself. so whenever i felt like eating something fatty i just look on photo. haha..
so glad you stopped by on my blog gorgeous! <3 thank you for liking the makeup and my twilight makeup.
you are too pretty!
REPLY
Great post Katy
It’s always a good idea to look at weight in terms of getting healthy and not simply looking good. As you said – on your way to getting healthy it’ll just all come together.
REPLY
ha this post hit the spot! my new years resolution is to tone up!!! i’m working on the cute clothes area, got some already
. thanks for the tips!
REPLY
Great post hun!! I have got to start a food journal… I think that will help…good luck with your weight/tone up
REPLY
Love the tips!
Hope it works for you hun ^^,
Thanks for passing by my blog
Anywho, I’m a new follower, love your blog! Keep it up 
REPLY
Yea, now’s a good time for me to take that in to consideration..I shoulda started exercising a long time ago haha!
REPLY
i get so unmotivated when it’s cold here in dallas. i need to start working out or it’s going to be a onepiece bathing suit come summer time!
REPLY
Excellent tips! I especially agree that reading health/fitness blogs help. Not only do they keep me motivated, but it gives me new ideas to throw into my workouts.
REPLY
GREAT post! Your post has completely motivated me to get off my ass and start working out. Today is day 1. I’m working towards a presentable body for my Vegas trip in March. If you have any more tips please share!!
I find you blog very inspirational. <3 <3 <3
REPLY
HMM, your cake makes me hungry!
I love your pictures, very well done, love your design too ^^.
(My blog is about diet, maybe it could be useful).
REPLY
Nice post, It is awesome works from every where. I practice yoga every day and it is very relaxing for me.
REPLY