After 2 months of eating healthy and exercising, you have developed some habits that can last you a lifetime!  A healthy lifestyle is not something you go “on” and “off” like a diet…it is a way of life. Here are some tips to keep at it … because you are worth it!

Don’t start a spiral of overeating.
There will be weeks when you cannot exercise because you are sick or your children are sick and you can’t get out of the house.  There will be weeks when desserts are everywhere you go—at work, at birthday parties, at family get-togethers.  How do you deal with weeks like these?

First, everyone experiences setbacks. Don’t beat yourself up! The most important part of dealing with a setback is making a change fast. Don’t start a spiral of overeating. I have clients who tell me they “blew the whole month of February” or “blew the whole week.” Don’t give yourself permission to blow a whole day, week, or month.

If you overeat at one meal, wipe the slate clean for the next meal. Having an all-or-nothing attitude towards food does not work. We will always be presented with “splurge” foods and we will sometimes partake. Dealing with the aftermath is key for living a healthy lifestyle.

Don’t start a spiral of missing your workouts.
We all miss workouts occasionally, but don’t fall off your routine. If you do, maybe there’s a problem. Look at your week and see if there are any changes that need to be made. Are you doing too much to soon? Do you need change up your exercises? Find what the problem is and make an adjustment so you will stay committed in the long run.

Encourage yourself in the morning …
Following a healthy lifestyle means that every day is like New Year’s Day. Start the day off by saying to yourself, “I will eat healthy today and make time to exercise.” Think of it as your daily affirmation!

And at night.
Think of it as doing something for YOU. Before you go to sleep at night, ask yourself how you are going to get your exercise in tomorrow. It may be a very busy day, so it may just be a 30 minute walk before or after work. The key is to MOVE.

Think positive!
And think positively. I believe that a positive attitude is key for a healthy lifestyle. If you look in the mirror and think negative thoughts then that leads to overeating. If you go to the gym and compare yourself to everyone else then that leads to skipped workouts. You are beautiful and worth the time spent exercising and eating healthy for you. You know that you already have family and friends who love you, so make healthy choices for just one person…yourself!

We are all different shapes and sizes, and need to feel good about what we do for ourselves and not let our surroundings control our feelings and behavior. No one knows how far you have come or how hard you have worked, only you know and that should put a smile on your face! You have made a change and you should be proud!

Meet Jeni Tackett, Let’s Move Quad Cities Nutrition Blogger. Jeni is a registered and licensed dietitian for Unity Point-Trinity and Two Rivers YMCA. Jeni counsels her clients on weight loss and nutrition. You can read Jeni’s bio and other blog posts by clicking here.