Thank you for joining us as we go ‘Back to balance’ in this year’s Kick-start Plan. The next 12 weeks will provide you with both rewards and challenges, but I know you are strong enough to cope with them.
Getting back to balance is about creating healthy fitness habits that are both sustainable and sensible for you. How often have you started a programme and gone hard out for a while, only to lose momentum and abandon ship?
If you’re in this category (I’ll put my hand up too), then we need a different approach for the next 12 weeks and beyond.
Find your ‘why’
First, it’s important to be clear about why you need to look after your health through exercise. Take time to think about your why. Why should you prioritise your health through exercise? For me, it’s not about being a certain weight, it’s about having a strong body to cope with the daily challenges life throws at me. I need to be fit enough to keep up with a busy toddler as well as being a role model for my family to look after their bodies and minds. Be clear about your own why, as you launch into this year’s Kick-start. When negative thoughts start to clutter your mind and tempt you to stop, go back to your why, to keep pushing across those mind hurdles.
Make a plan
Second, have a clear plan about when and how you are going to exercise, to limit excuses creeping in. Co-ordinate your diary with the exercise plan we have designed for you (see healthyfood.com/KSPlan) and, if necessary, put alerts on your phone to act as motivators. Within your plan, set some measurable, incremental goals to aim for. It’s much easier when you have specific markers, and then you can see your progress.
Find supporters
And, finally, remember to gather your tribe to support you. You’re not alone in this world and you have a community to help you achieve your fitness goals. Join our private Healthy Food Guide Kick-starters’ Facebook group and reach out to potential exercise buddies to help hold you to account.
Prepare for the bumps
Some days will be harder than others to keep to your fitness plan. On those days, take a breath, remember your why and battle through together with others. Listen to your body, as you may need to pull back slightly, in order to go forward in the long term.as an Olympic athlete, I had times when I needed to modify sessions because of how I was feeling. Sometimes, though, you will need to simply grit your teeth and keep going. I know if I give up, I get disappointed in myself. I love the feeling of completing a workout that I thought was going to be the end of me.
Most of us have been gifted working bodies. It’s a privilege to be able to move, so it’s not something we should take for granted. I hope you enjoy the next few months, as you build your fitness and strength. It’s time to get back to balance in order to be our best selves, whatever that may be.
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