Are you a 10/10?

How many times have you admired someone who is slimmer than you are? How many times have you thought to yourself, ‘How am I different from everyone else? Why can’t I look like her? Or why can’t I have a great body like him?

Well, my friends the simple truth is that you can look just like that, if you want. But wishing or envying wont make it happen on its own though, admittedly this is the very first step. If you have thought about it and wondered about it, is it not time now to actually start to DO something about it as well?

While you may not have the genetic blueprint, if you like, to be the same as Angelina Jolie or a Kate Moss look alike or have the build and muscle tone of Arnold Schwarzenegger, each and every one of us does have the ability to be the best that we can be. This is what we all deserve.

Let’s take a look now at how to get the body of our dreams, but firstly there are 10 most important pathways to help us go about getting that body – and they are habits. Habits are important to establish success, not just for now but for the rest of your life!

By slowly introducing one habit at a time into your daily life you will soon have that body of your dreams but only if you establish habits.

Habit Number 1
- Have a positive mental outlook on life. For every negative thought you have about yourself try to re-invent your mental outlook by coming up with 3 positive ones instead. By doing this you will be creating a positive inner environment for you to grow and become. Say to yourself “I am so glad that I have a body that works” “I am a great person” “I am confident and I am strong” “I have a nice smile”, “I am tall and slim and people like me” etc. Establishing positive self talk sets the foundations for the next change. A truly positive change!

Habit Number 2
– Success is a life long commitment. By realising that there is no magic wand to zap up a body we desire, that there are no quick fixes or that by simply paying for a gym membership and not using it, you will automatically be healthy, lean, fit and strong in mind and body – no, true success comes from ‘doing’ as well as ‘thinking’. Then and only then will you be on your way down the victory path. Success comes from living fitness and this means that you have to be consistent and persistent with your exercise and nutrition, not just in the short term but for the rest of your life. Establish this habit and you will reap big rewards and you can start doing this today.

Habit Number 3
– Set your goals and stick with it. Whether it be fitting into your new bikini or looking your absolute best on your wedding day or to be as fit as possible for a sporting event or even to face surgery, having realistic goals to reach is vital. A good strategy to help is by writing down the top 3 goals you wish to achieve and the time frame in which to achieve them. Remind yourself mentally each and every time you start exercising or when you find your focus is waning. You will get there, just don’t give up hope.

Habit number 4
- Have you ever heard the saying ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’? Here is a tip - By sitting down and planning and shopping for what you need nutritionally each week will lead to preparing simple easy healthy meals and snacks and is a sure fire plan to success. Working out what you are going to eat and when is important because this means that you wont be wanting to just go for something that is fast food or of little or no nutritional value at all. If you are in doubt about what to eat, ask me about my menu plans for weight loss and you will soon be picking up on a great habit.

Habit number 5
- There is much to be said about getting your beauty sleep. How do you wake in the morning? Do you constantly hit the snooze button and roll over and go back to sleep? Getting enough sleep is very very important but did you know that a sign of being fit and healthy is that you will wake up fresh and revitalized and have a good appetite for breakfast? Fit people have made sleeping a habit to success. Not only can lack of sleep attribute to overweight and obesity issues in some people, it can also wreck your lifestyle by interrupting physiological, and psychological patterns. If you are fit chances are you will fall asleep easier and may require less sleep then people who are not fit. After all sleep is the time when our bodies repair, are reenergized and restore themselves so that you are ready for another day.

Habit number 6
- By preparing your gym gear and packing your bag the night before you will not only save yourself time but you will be setting a habit for making your exercise time a very valuable part your daily schedule. Make your time at the gym your ‘ME’ time. Schedule in this ‘me’ time just like any other appointments in your calendar. Be a little selfish!

Habit Number 7
- Regular daily physical activity and exercise or even some structured exercise coupled with healthy dietary habits will definitely be assisting in over all health and well being. But more importantly will help you in maintaining a healthy weight and keeping it off once you have lost it.

Habit Number 8
– Being committed to a fitness program can be difficult. However, chances are you are far more likely to have it ‘dialed’ into your brain if you exercise in the morning and you will have a better chance of sticking with your fitness program. By establishing this habit you will be setting yourself up for entire day and you will be able to make all the right choices for your body and have a positive mental outlook on decision making at work, school or in fact anywhere!

Habit Number 9
– Bounce back from minor setbacks. Building resilience to life’s little obstacles, like having a piece of cake whilst dieting or missing a workout due to other commitments is not the end of the world as long as do not make a bad habit out of the setbacks. Acknowledge them and move on.

Habit Number 10
– “Rome was not built in a day” Take one step at a time and establish these habits over a 6 month period or a little longer if you need and you will be set for life!! Everyone is different and so too are the degrees of the habits. Set your habits to suit you and by taking it a little at a time that body you desire will be soon be yours.