By Brianna Weisntein Contributor
With the spring semester winding down, and summer fast approaching, people are scrambling to bust their butts into shape. However, anyone who has ever tried to tackle a radical new diet or workout plan has learned that they can hit a wall, and fast.
The answer isn’t always as clear cut as some would like it to be. There’s honestly no harm in trying new foods or picking up a fun new workout routine. Finding balance is what’s important.
Everyone has heard that you just need to eat right and work out consistently. But that’s honestly easier said than done. On the flip side of that, there always seem to be new fad diets, drinks and workouts that influencers and celebrities swear will whip your butt into shape in no time. So, which is the way to go?
The answer isn’t always as clear cut as some would like it to be. There’s honestly no harm in trying new foods or picking up a fun new workout routine. Finding balance is what’s important.
So, how can someone look and feel great without burning themselves out? Well, first off, don’t take on too much, too fast. Producing results of any kind, whether it’s through dieting or exercise, will take time. And no, the tummy tea and waist trainers that Instagram models are touting are not the only way to go. Patience and consistency are key no matter what anyone says.
If it were as easy as simply eating right and working out, a lot more of us would be where we want to be, in terms of health and fitness. Knowing what you should be doing, and actually following through, are two very different things, the latter being more difficult.
To make matters even more complicated, the advent of social media has had a significant impact on the way people view themselves, and has helped companies capitalize on their insecurities.
Knowing why you started in the first place, and trusting that the process will evidently yield results will ensure that you stick it out.
Before Instagram, Twitter or Snapchat, you would have to turn on a TV or pick up a magazine to see those unattainable and unrealistic body ideals. But now, they’re behind almost every swipe and tap of a finger on smartphones. There’s always some bikini-clad model promoting a new diet, drink or workout that guarantees fast, optimal results.
The problem with this is that it sets us up for direct comparisons to difficult-to-attain bodies. The years of training, multiple surgeries or hours spent in Photoshop that have gone into creating these personas isn’t always taken into consideration, and people can quickly become discouraged when they don’t see results as soon as they would like.
And so, before taking on any new diet or workout routine, know that it will take time. Everyone’s body produces different results at different times, and that is okay. Whether you’re hitting up the gym, taking up Pilates, cutting out carbs or just counting calories, consistency is key. Knowing why you started in the first place, and trusting that the process will evidently yield results will ensure that you stick it out.
