Were you awkward, chubby, or too skinny as a child or teen? I was!!!! I never quite fit in with the other kids. I loved fashion even at a young age and expressed myself differently. I wore wild prints, huge earrings and high ponies with all sorts of braids. Not exactly what the other kids were wearing. It definitely didn’t make me part of the cool crowd. I found myself sitting at the lunch table by myself quite a bit. If this sounds like you or your child, I have good news. This awkward time in your life does not have to define you. I suppose my personality made me strive to get out of this chubby awkward stage and make myself the fashionista I knew I could be. Tell me NO, and it is more reason to strive for a YES! However, for some, it is doomsday! I am here to tell you that at any point in your life you can make that change!!!!! Whether you are a teen or a recent mom or just tired of the way you look, you can start today! It is one small goal at a time and one day at a time! Start by just moving your body. ANYTHING! Take the baby for a stroll, run around the block, walk with friends, find an exercise class you like, walk the treadmill, take a dance class or swim, play tennis, etc. The point is to find an activity that you enjoy doing and do it on a consistent basis. Make a schedule for it and put it on your calendar like you would any other appointment. Find a friend or a group of friends who can hold you accountable and who you can do the same for. Start keeping track of your calories using the app My Fitness Pal. It is the easiest thing in the world to use and holds you accountable for your calories. If you are trying to lose weight base your calories at 10x your body weight today! As your weight drops so do your calories. You may continue to eat the foods you love but need to be aware of the calorie consumption. So, maybe you can only eat 2 pieces of pizza instead of 4. This is not a diet! This is a way of life. Figuring out moderation will help you make better choices and stay in your calorie goal. Think of your daily food intake like a budget. If you only have a certain amount of money to get you through a day, you definitely find a way to make it work for you. It is the same thing with your food. Budget it out and stick to it. Stop making excuses and start today by downloading My Fitness Pal. Once the weight starts melting off your body you will like the results so much, continuing this new way of life will be EASY!
