{"id":6441,"date":"2018-06-20T06:32:52","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T13:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/?p=6441"},"modified":"2023-03-22T10:11:00","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T10:11:00","slug":"the-secrets-for-getting-staying-in-shape","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/carolynhidalgo.com\/staging\/the-secrets-for-getting-staying-in-shape\/","title":{"rendered":"The Secrets for Getting & Staying in Shape"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\u201cHow can you eat that, and stay so slim?\u201d<\/h3>\n

“Is staying in shape impossible?” Let’s discuss…<\/p>\n

We are sitting at a restaurant, and I\u2019ve just ordered the thin crust pizza while my girlfriends (the super health conscious ones) have all ordered fancy salads with protein.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not normal!\u201d they tell me.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s true, sometimes I feel like an alien. I used to believe I had a fast metabolism, and could eat whatever I wanted until the summer I gained 10lbs indulging a little too much at the family cottage.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m told as I approach 50 that it’s harder to keep the lbs from being stored. Perfect – so as we age, and want to slow down we have to get more active? I did hear that some extra weight can be good for keeping your brain healthy, and fighting off Alzheimers<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do you find yourself looking for the one right approach only to be countered by an opposing right way?\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

We all have beliefs about food and fitness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

I grew up eating healthy home-cooked meals. (Thank you mom! I didn’t appreciate the green stuff back then especially the overgrown zucchini from our backyard.)<\/span><\/p>\n

I was told \u201csugar caused diabetes\u201d so pop was allowed only on special occasions, and just half a can! My mom made us milk popsicles (using condensed milk) while I envied kids who got the brightly coloured artificial ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exercise was considered more like \u201cplaytime\u201d, even a waste of time compared to what I should be doing: reading, studying or practicing piano. I didn\u2019t play any sports. Still don’t.<\/span><\/p>\n

My foundation was healthy eating with a bare minimum of physical activity. <\/span><\/h4>\n

What is the foundation to remain healthy<\/a> you’re working with?<\/span><\/p>\n

You have a story that will impact your unique way for getting in shape.<\/span><\/p>\n

But what plays an even more important role in managing your physical health comes from something deeper than your beliefs or even your foundation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Have you tried just about everything to manage your weight, and get some exercise in? Is it an uphill battle? Perhaps it\u2019s been off and on with some success, but you return back to where you used to be? Or worse, you gain even more back.<\/span><\/p>\n

What I Know for Sure<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m not a food or exercise expert. I\u2019m not going to offer you a revolutionary new product or program with a 30-day money back guarantee. Nor will I tell you what works for me because it won’t work for you. I\u2019m eating a bowl of potato chips as I write this…my favourite salty snack.<\/span><\/p>\n

But I\u2019ve maintained my ideal weight range through my 20\u2019s, 30\u2019s, and 40\u2019s, and as I turn 50 this September \u2013 I can stand naked in front of the mirror, and honestly say \u201cI love, and appreciate my body as it is\u201d. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Not from an ego place as my body gave birth to twin girls totalling nearly 11 lbs, and frankly it still looks pretty scary despite a tummy tuck to correct the damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

There’s sun damage too from not being diligent about sun screen in my teens, and early 20’s…I could go on about what’s not perfect, but\u00a0I’ve always felt ‘good enough’ about where my body ever was, and today that feeling is even stronger.<\/span><\/p>\n

If I gain weight, and clothes aren’t fitting – I still love my body. I don’t beat myself up about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What I know for sure is the way I feel about my body makes a massive difference in the relationship I have with food and exercise, which directly impacts what I’ve been able to create around my own physical health.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Holistic Way<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Most of us trying to change anything in our life attacks the issue backwards. We start by trying to figure out the problem, and then solve it by copying someone else\u2019s approach that worked for them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, say you want to lose 10lbs and be more physically fit, what do you do? You may start looking to the food and fitness experts offering products and programs you believe will finally get you back into those favourite pair of jeans.<\/span><\/p>\n

You find one you really think can fit into your busy life, and believe you’ll get those same astounding results.<\/span><\/p>\n

But the very first thing before<\/em> you start thinking of staying in shape needs to begin with examining where you are on the inside<\/em> first. We have it backwards. Being motivated to follow any plan is not enough. It’s whether you are internally ready for the long haul to work from the inside out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n