By Guest Writer: Ali Vincent
It’s 2014! And if you are like the majority of Americans, you are probably resolving to lose weight and get in shape this year. Getting healthy has always been part of my new year resolutions. Over and over again, I’d tell myself “I’ll try again this year.” And that would turn into “I’ll try again tomorrow.” And tomorrow would come with the same effortless agenda as the day before. I’d tell myself “I’m trying my best” when, in truth, I wasn’t giving it my all. I wanted to live healthier, but I hadn’t really, truly made up my mind to do it.
Then I was selected for The Biggest Loser and I knew it was my chance.
Just like before, I’d wake up each morning and try. But this time, with the world watching, I knew that try, wasn’t going to be enough. I’d have to turn my try into TRYumph. This time I wouldn’t just try. I’d do.
I lost 112 pounds during my time on The Biggest Loser and became the show’s first female winner. It’s been 5 years since I left The Biggest Loser and I’ve managed to keep off the weight! And more importantly, I found the confidence I needed to stop trying and start doing. I wake up everyday with the same resolution I discovered on the ranch, to turn my try into TRYumph.
You can turn try into TRYumph too! And believe it or not, you don’t need Jillian Michaels, a million dollar prize or the pressure of appearing on a national weight loss TV show to do it! Here are a few simple ways to TRYumph:
Practice positive thinking and self-talk.
Positive thinking doesn't mean that you keep your head in the sand and ignore life's less pleasant situations. Positive thinking simply means that you approach those things in a positive way. You think the best is going to happen, not the worst.
Positive thinking often starts with self-talk. Self-talk is the endless stream of unspoken thoughts that run through your head every day. These automatic thoughts can be positive or negative. Some of your self-talk comes from logic and reason. Other self-talk may arise from misconceptions that you create because of lack of information.
If the thoughts that run through your head are mostly negative, your outlook on life is more likely pessimistic. If your thoughts are mostly positive, you're likely an optimist — someone who practices positive thinking! Positive thinking is the first step to weight loss.
Retool your favorite recipes to make them healthy.
By remaking your favorite recipes with healthy swaps, you can still enjoy the things you love without the guilt of extra calories!
Greek yogurt can be swapped in for oils with baking, and can also substitute for sour cream on your tacos! Protein powder can replace certain flour or added into your favorite baked goods for an extra punch of protein. Learning how to make healthy versions of your favorite foods will set you up for a lifetime of healthy eating.
Try every product to see what works for YOU.
There is no one single product that works for every body. You have to try out different foods, exercise plans and supplements to discover what works best for YOU in your lifestyle.
This is the great thing about sampling! You get to find out what works and what doesn’t before making it a part of your daily routine. And who knows! You may try something you thought you would never like or work for you and it turns out to be the thing that helps you push you to your goal!
Keep healthy snacks handy to prevent the dreaded left-turn.
Temptations are inevitable. When you are busy or stressed it’s so easy to go for convenience food – which is usually very unhealthy! Don’t make the “dreaded right-turn” (that’s what I call the fast food drive thru). Keep healthy snacks on hand at all times. I love ProMax Fit ‘N Crisp Bars or Power Crunch Protein Energy Bars. I also keep easy meal replacements on hand like Plant Fusion PHOOD. That way, I avoid the dreaded right turn and keep my goals on track.
Reward your progress for everything it’s worth!
Set achievable goals and be sure to reward yourself for every milestone you hit. That way you’ll be motivated to hit the next one. Life is meant to be lived, and meant to be lived big! So why not take the extra step and reward yourself for the TRYumph’s you’ve accomplished? You could reward yourself with your favorite dessert. But I think non-food rewards are even better. Get some new workout clothing to show off your improved body while you work out. Get tickets to the theatre! Or go on that adventure vacation you’ve been putting off!
★ YOUR TURN ★
How have you turned try into tryUMPH? What are you tips?