So many adults play the Follow The Leader game the same as when we were kids. Although we know we are not making the best or healthiest decisions for ourselves, things always feel acceptable when our closest family members or best friends are doing the same things. Somehow we justify what we are doing based on others.

The weekly “much needed” reward, food and alcohol. It’s been a hectic week and you just want to have a good time so Friday through Sunday you indulge…a lot. On Monday morning you scroll through social media and post after post can seem as though the entire weekend was a giant party. You were there too but on your Monday morning you feel tired, hungover, bloated and not ready to face the new week. You are not happy, you want to feel better but you are asking yourself or others time and time again “should I do something?” The short answer is if you are asking what you should do, you do not have the right mindset and you are not ready for change.

In order to make change you must put yourself first. You must have the inner strength and discipline to break away from anyone or anything that may be holding you back. When you decide to take the necessary steps to become a healthier version of yourself you may get resistance from those closest to you who should be a support system. You may hear comments such as “you look fine” or “you can eat this, it’s only one day”. The truth is they aren’t comfortable with you making change because they aren’t comfortable with themselves. The uncomfortable is that they may feel that they need to make change also. It can be very hard to be the first one to start a wellness journey when you have been a part of your tribe forever and a day but you can with the right mindset. I promise you will feel empowered once you do! You may also inspire others to follow you once they see change happening and that too is empowering.

Internalizing thoughts of change and turning those thoughts into a plan may not be easy unless you take the necessary steps to move forward. Here are some tips that can help:

-Start a journal and write down your thoughts and feelings that impact your mood, eating habits, sleep patterns, and overall wellbeing. Try to dig deep within yourself about what is making you unhappy and also the things that will make you happy

-Keep track of everything you eat and drink including alcohol consumption to put things into perspective

-Start reducing and eliminating sugar, carbs and processed foods from your diet and replacing these with lean protein and fruits and vegetables

-Start reading labels, buy a food scale and learn how to count macros

-Set realistic goals such as: I’m going to walk 20 minutes a day or choose 3 exercises a day to get yourself used to the idea that this is the new norm

-Start a manifesting journal writing daily affirmations and goals you want to achieve as if they are in the here and now such as: I’m so grateful I am strong enough to make positive change, I am so happy I have started my fitness journey, I feel my best because I am eating better

-Work towards getting in 10,000 steps a day

-Join a gym or start personal training to get you on the right track and hold you accountable

-Stop feeling as though you can’t do something for yourself due to fear of what others might say

The bottom line is just start. Start with wanting something better for yourself. Value yourself and your health; mental and physical. A boost in your self confidence makes everything feel better.

Become the leader because you are so done with being a follower. Love yourself and start saying “Im ready and It’s about time!

It’s YOU vs YOU

Be happy