Monday, January 7, 2013

Where's Your Weakest Link in these 6 Tips?


Proven strategies. 6 steps for successful weight loss and healthy living.
It's common sense, well known knowledge and the most simple answer to reaching your goals.
I think it will translate differently to each person. We're all working at our own pace and at our own levels.

tips for weight loss, tips for living healthy, tips to stay fit

Each step equally important. 
The chains strength dies at the weakest link. And, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Which of these is your "squeaky wheel"? Is there a "weak link" in your chain of strength?

I personally struggle with "Three Meals A Day".
I get so busy some days that I completely skip lunch and really, I'm not sure my breakfast is always considered wholesome. Typically, I grab a granola bar and banana as I head out the door. Ok...really what happens is...I wrestle with my almost 2 year old to put his coat on...I then find one shoe in the hallway and sweetly convince him that he must keep BOTH shoes on so we can go outside. Then, I trick him into thinking we're going outside for play when really we are making a mad dash to the cold car (I don't know how much longer this will work)....and just before rushing out the door, I remember to grab something to eat. Quick solution...Fiber One bar and banana, V8 energy, and some days a boiled egg. Oh yes, sounds real appetizing and like a fulfilling breakfast, right?!
For lunch...I love salads, but many times I have errands to run during the lunch hour and it just becomes a break in the work day. So I retreat into a late afternoon snack knowing the gym lays between that time and dinner time. I've worked hard on the 3 meals a day as of recent (holiday time frame), hence the #whatsonyoursalad idea. I know that 3 square meals a day will help with good moods, energy levels and resisting the temptation to binge on some brownies or even worse those little chocolate bars hanging around my work.

Another area, I admit trouble with...healthy amounts of "Sleep". People, this is by far the hardest for me. I am so guilty of staying up late and hitting the snooze button 3 times (ok, like 5 times) each morning. It's a horrible cycle. My husband has helped me break out of this cycle in the past. We were both getting our 7-8 hours of rest each night until the holidays hit...since then, it's just been him. I hit a wall each evening around 7, but after we put one to sleep and guide the other towards his room...I somehow catch my 800th wind of the day and rev back up, unable to fall asleep at an appropriate hour. This, of course, leads to the perpetual bonk of the snooze button. I hate the sound of my alarm. Why on earth, do I choose to start each day by hearing it on re-peat-peat-peat every 8 minutes?!

If I scan through these 6 tips again...I could say I also have trouble with "One Goal at a Time". Oh, my mind works in so many dimensions  Probably not a good thing. But, I love it. I have so many thoughts rolling around in there, I get beyond excited about putting them into action. Some connected, others random and so very unconnected. Some irrelevant and others profound. I have to train myself to write things down so I don't loose track of the immediately important verses 'of a latter matter. Life is full of so many wonderful opportunities that it's sometimes hard to slow down, taking time to plan individual steps and enjoying each one as they come. Living in the moment, One Goal at a Time, can be tricky for this working momma of 2 filled with excitement, dreams and ambitions.
As for goals in my fitness routine...I've had to lower my standards and reset some goals based off of reality. I may still have the strength to do certain routines like burpees, push-ups, and over head presses but my body screams at me and says "enough" waaaay before it used to. It sucks. But, it is what it is. I simply gave up one thing temporarily for another area to get its permanent fix. I've let go of certain standards because they were no longer fitting to me. Once I came to grips with that I was able to set new goals. I now repeat mountain climbers and girl style push-ups knowing they will condition my body and maintain muscle strength until my body allows me to advance back into burpees and other routines I loved so much.

Are you making too many promises to yourself and loosing the joy found in hitting each milestone? I'm realizing this may be the key to my ultimate success in a healthy living journey. The grid above helps me visualize each step of the overall goal in being what I want to be.

So what about you? When you look over these 6 steps do you feel you are hitting each one?
Which link needs adjusting and focus? We're all so different with unique schedules, my grid fits my life perfectly but maybe not yours...share some others tips that give perspective to weight loss and healthy living!

And check out the ideas we're sharing for #whatsonyoursalad! Come share your creations, tips, ideas too!

post signature


I've linked this with Amanda for Desire to Inspire.

I've linked up with YOLO Mondays hosted by the brilliantly beautiful Carly at Lipgloss and Crayons
and Brooke  for Monday Meetup...she's also doing 9 days of healthy giveaways!

And you know...I linked up with Helene and Emily for Tell Me About it Tuesdays!
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37 comments:

Katie@iifollowrivers said...

I think I need to work on all of them! yikes. you are way ahead of me...but ill get there!

Ashley said...

I am guilty for not getting enough sleep, also. I NEED to start going to bed earlier. Isn't it crazy that if we do these things we'll feel so much better?? Good luck with your goals!

Sybil@PeaceitallTogether said...

I have seriously been lacking in exercise lately. Tomorrow I start back to work after three weeks of vacation...that's when my exercise routine will start again. Also, one goal at a time is hard for me. I want it all, now.

Lauren Thomas said...

hi there! i'm a new follower from the blog hop. this is a great post. i probably struggle with the one goal at a time...i tend to get over zealous on the idea front and then fail at them all.

Jersey Blogess said...

awesome - love this post as I too am into fitness

Jessica said...

I have trouble getting all my water in each day! I'm trying to cut out most other things and drink JUST water....we'll see!

Melissa said...

I definitely still struggle with the sleep one! It seems to go in phases and with the holidays, it always seems to make it hard.

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Good Goal and Good Luck! Try some lemon or a flavor of Crystal Light?! Your body will thank you!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Yes, you will!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Thanks Ashley :)
I'm right there with ya on...NEED to get to bed earlier! Starting tonight...or tomorrow night...haha!

Lindsay Erin said...

Great post. My problem is definitely one goal at a time. I get on a health binge and just go go go and then I fall off the wagon and land hard on my arse. The fact that I want to do everything perfect at the same time is what makes it so hard for me to pick myself up and dust myself off.

Lynette Marie said...

I totally struggle with the water thing! I used to literally LIVE on Diet Coke. Like 2-3 a day, and hardly any water. I'm not quite sure how I'm still alive. But in the past couple of years, I've dropped my Diet Coke habit to maybe 1-2 a week, but somehow I still don't drink enough water. Some days is good, and some days is only 2-3 glasses! Definitely have to work on it!

Alisa Marie said...

Mine is probably water and working out! New Follower :)

http://allthingsalisamarie.blogspot.com

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Hey Lauren! Girl, I doubt you fail! They say never trying is failing. So there you go!
But I hear what your saying. I'm trying to better prioritize my goals so I don't get too caught up in all the excitement and screw up something!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Ohhhh, vacation does the mind, body, and soul good! One goal at a time reminds me of your "fires burning" post. I've got to get to your blog and catch up on my reading, I enjoy your writings and thoughts so much!

Helene said...

This is so great, I am terrie at drinking water. I HAVE to get better at it. Awesome post!!

Unknown said...

Hey Kristine! Great post today! I usually work out 6 times a week and my portions are probably too big especially dinner. I need to work on nutrition to balance out my workouts. Thanks for being supportive! :) Esther Norine Designs

Brie Bemis @ Sophistifunk said...

i love this post! i struggle most with three workouts a week

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Drinking water I so hard to stick with if you allow other drinks throughout the day. (At least for me) so I like your plan! Good luck and stick with it!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

YAY for fitness!! Gotta get by your blog ASAP!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

I'm right there with ya! The holidays def stole a lot of my sleep!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

My "arse"?! heehee, I like it! Girl, one goal at a time is super hard but I'm thinking its key to succeeding :) I hear ya on doing it all perfect, I'm so guilty of that too...

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

During the week I'll have a coke at lunch 1 or 2 times, oh it taste so good! But, the less soda in the diet, the more room for water! Sounds like you have a good plan, keep it up :))

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Thanks for following Alisa! I'll def stop by your blog real soon! Good luck with the workouts and drinking more water, you can do it!

Kristine -Heart Shaped Sweat said...

Yes m'mam, you do! That foot will thank you!! Just kidding :) I think auto correct is trying to trend terrie instead of terrible...I'm kinda feeling it!

gayle said...

Hi new bloggy friend! I found you from Hooah and Hiccups. So glad to meet you!

In answer to your question, my weakest link is eating snacks. Well, and sometimes meals. But, I am great about drinking water, getting (usually) enough sleep, and working out at least three times a week (if not more). Maybe the good balances out the weaker areas. I don't know. :) Good things to think about, though!

xoxo,
Gayle | Grace for Gayle

Courtney Kassner said...

Hello! I'm a new follower from Desire to Inspire!

I need to write these tips down! I think I struggle most with working out 3 times a week...it is so hard to motivate myself after coming home from a long day at work. Hopefully following your blog will help me out! Thanks for the tips!

exodus31three.blogspot.com

Sarah Leonard said...

I need to work on one goal at a time that's for sure. Sometimes I multi task too much.

On the subject of alarms I invested in a sunrise alarm - it brightens the room gradually and plays bird song to wake me. Much better :)

Sarah @ A Cat-Like Curiosity

collettakay said...

These are 6 great tips! My weakest would probably be water intake but I've been getting better :)

Here's my D2I post:

http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2013/01/desire-to-inspire-conquering-depression.html

Colletta

Misty Marie said...

I struggle with drinking enough water for sure!!! Exercising 3x per week with 3 kinds under 3 is always a challenge too! Great tips!!! Thanks for linking up with fit Friday!!! Following you now and looking forward to reading more!!!

Unknown said...

Hey Kristine! I'm so glad you found me so that I could find you! haha I love your blog, you write very well. In this post I really liked the health tips organized in those photos. It helped me organize everything in my head. Seems like I try to do all of that, but I've never looked at the bigger picture. Great post :)
Samantha from www.samsmithgriffin.blogspot.com

Lauren said...

I need to work on getting more sleep- I have a six month old baby who is still up at least twice a night but I also exercise at night so finding the balance is always tricky!

Unknown said...

I struggle so much on getting enough sleep. I usually get done with my workouts at 10pm and end up going to bed by midnight... or later and then I wake up at 6:30 to get ready for work. It's so hard to find the time for an earlier workout!

A said...

Hi there!!!

Oh you could totally be a blogging soulmate! LOL ;) So much in common!!

love your blog, love what your doing.. Love this post! Totally relate to the annoying second wind - hits every night just after I get my children to bed no matter how much I vow every morning that I'll go to bed early 'tonight'..

Thanks so much for the follow and I'm so excited to follow you back!

Aanika from The Active Mum X

Amanda said...

Mine is water + snacks. I never snack - but I eat huge meals because I'm starving by the time another meal time comes along. These are great tips and just in time for New Year resolutions! :) Thanks for linking up to D2I!

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Prashant Wagh said...

A nice blog dedicated to Mothers
Some of the best recipes by Mayuresh's Mother in Hindi Langauge
Butter Chicken Recipe in Hindi

White Chicken Gravy Recipe

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